57 new caves discovered in Quang Binh province

57 new caves discovered in Quang Binh province

The Hanoitimes – People`s Committee of central province of Quang Binh held a press conference on June 22 to reveal the survey of exploration trip in Phong Nha-Ke Bang area by a team of explorers from the British Cave Research Association (BCRA).

Accordingly, a total of 57 new caves with a combined length of over 20km have been discovered in Quang Binh central province this year by a team of explorers from the British Cave Research Association (BCRA).
According to the provincial People’s Committee, a team of 13 explorers from the British Cave Research Association started their exploration trip in Phong Nha-Ke Bang area in April 2016.
At the press conference held in the province on June 22, the team leader, Howard Limbert announced that
a total of 57 new caves with a combined length of over 20km have been discovered in Quang Binh central province by the BCRA team.
Some longest among these new caves are Hoa Huong Cave (2,876m), Tien 2 Cave (2,519m), Bom Cave (1,500m), Dinh 1 Cave (1,430m) and Ruc Ma Rinh 2 Cave (1,360m),
Howard Limbert said the exploration team has found evidence that the caves were formed under water and that tectonic movement might redirect the water flow in the area millions of years ago. The water initially flowed in a westerly direction from Vietnam to Laos but then shifted in the opposite direction until today.
In addition, a number of rare and strange creatures have been discovered, including fish and crustaceans with transparent body, Limbert added.

The Hoa Huong cave, that has been discovered in Quang Binh province, is suitable for adventure tours.

Explorer Howard Limbert also noted that several caves are suitable for adventure tours, for example, Hoa Huong, Bang, Cay Sanh, Ma Rinh and Tu Lu. But it is vital to balance between exploring the caves and preserving their beauty, he said.
It was the 17th exploration trip of the BCRA team in Quang Binh’s Phong Nha-Ke Bang area since 1990. Up to now, the team has surveyed 311 caves of all sizes here with more than 200 km in length. Some caves have become famous destinations, including Phong Nha Cave, Thien Duong (Paradise) Cave and Son Doong Cave.
Chairman of Quang Binh People’s Committee Nguyen Huu Hoai said that the locality has the largest limestone in Asia but only 30% of those has been discovered.
The provincial government and people expect the explorers will be looking for more new cave, Chairman Hoai said.
Howard Limbert and his colleagues will continue to open new cave survey in 2017.

Thu Minh

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