Vietnamese and Japanese scientists have discovered a volcanic cavernsystem in the Central Highlands that they say is as beautiful as theManjanggul Lava cave, a UNESCO heritage site in Jeju island, theRepublic of Korea.
A cave in the system, located inChoah village in Krong No district, Dak Nong province, could be thelongest volcanic grotto in Southeast Asia, they say.
According to General Department of Geology and Minerals, its scientistsand partners from the Japan Caving Association found an entrance to oneof the caves in 2007.
“We have spent almost eight yearsinvestigating three of 12 caves in the system,” department directorNguyen Van Thuan told a local newspaper.
The cavern area coversthousands of square metres and one of the measured caves is 1,055mlong,” he said, adding that the remaining nine caves have not beenexplored and measured yet.
The scientists believe thatvolcanoes were active in the region millions years ago and curving lavaflows created the cavern system.
Inside the caves, the scientists have found evidence of reptile species as well as human existence.
Thuansaid a global announcement of the findings will be made after theentire cavern area has been in investigated. He said he believes thatthis is a rare geological phenomenon.
The department also plans to profile the area and have it recognised as a geological park in the future, he added.
Experts and local authorities expect the cavern system will attract a lot of visitors, boosting tourism in the province.
“Thank to the rareness and uniqueness of volcanic caves, tourists willflock to the place in the near future,” Thuan said. “I have visitedJeju’s Manjanggul already and found that the view here is moremagnificent.”
Director of the provincial Department ofCulture, Sports and Tourism Le Khac Ghi said the caves are located alongthe Serepok River , so traveling to the site will be veryconvenient.
He said that the proximity of the caverns to the DraySap Waterfall will also help draw more visitors for adventure andexploration tours.
A press briefing to introduce the findings will be organised in Hanoi in the next couple of days, he added.-VNA
A cave in the system, located inChoah village in Krong No district, Dak Nong province, could be thelongest volcanic grotto in Southeast Asia, they say.
According to General Department of Geology and Minerals, its scientistsand partners from the Japan Caving Association found an entrance to oneof the caves in 2007.
“We have spent almost eight yearsinvestigating three of 12 caves in the system,” department directorNguyen Van Thuan told a local newspaper.
The cavern area coversthousands of square metres and one of the measured caves is 1,055mlong,” he said, adding that the remaining nine caves have not beenexplored and measured yet.
The scientists believe thatvolcanoes were active in the region millions years ago and curving lavaflows created the cavern system.
Inside the caves, the scientists have found evidence of reptile species as well as human existence.
Thuansaid a global announcement of the findings will be made after theentire cavern area has been in investigated. He said he believes thatthis is a rare geological phenomenon.
The department also plans to profile the area and have it recognised as a geological park in the future, he added.
Experts and local authorities expect the cavern system will attract a lot of visitors, boosting tourism in the province.
“Thank to the rareness and uniqueness of volcanic caves, tourists willflock to the place in the near future,” Thuan said. “I have visitedJeju’s Manjanggul already and found that the view here is moremagnificent.”
Director of the provincial Department ofCulture, Sports and Tourism Le Khac Ghi said the caves are located alongthe Serepok River , so traveling to the site will be veryconvenient.
He said that the proximity of the caverns to the DraySap Waterfall will also help draw more visitors for adventure andexploration tours.
A press briefing to introduce the findings will be organised in Hanoi in the next couple of days, he added.-VNA
