Dak Nong Geopark recognized as Global Geopark

Dak Nong Geopark

Dak Nong Geopark is the third UNESCO-recognized Global Geopark in Viet Nam after Dong Van Karst Plateau  Geopark in Ha Giang province and Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark in Cao Bang province.

Located on the M’Nong plateau at average elevation of 600-700m asl, with the highest point being Ta Dung at 1,982m asl, Dak Nong Geopark - the Land of Sounds - covers an area of c.4,760km2.

According to the UNESCO, Dak Nong Geopark is distinctive in terms of geological features and geoheritage value. Being a piece of the Gondwana ancient supercontinent, from about 200-165 Ma ago it was deeply submerged into a passive continent marginal sea, very rich in ammonite and bivalve fossils. This continental margin later, during 145-66 Ma ago became active due to plate collision, with red-bed sediments, eruptive andesite-dacite-rhyoliteand intrusive gabbro-diorite-granodiorite-granite rocks.

During the last 16.5 Ma, the territory became active again with wide-spread, multi-phase volcanic activities, forming a basalt cover over more than 50% of the Geopark area. These have been the source of some of the world’s largest and top quality bauxite deposits and a number of other minerals (sapphire, semi-precious stones etc.), and especially the fertile soils that have fed generations of local people with many industrial and fruit tree crops.

In particular, young volcanic activities about tens of thousands of years ago (Late Pleistocene-Holocene) have resulted in spectacular craters, majestic waterfalls and Southeast Asia’s most extensive system of hundreds of magnificent volcanic caves, many of which had been used by prehistoric people as shelter since at least 6,000-10,000 years ago.

The Viet Nam National Commission for UNESCO and Dak Nong Province’s People’s Committee and other relevant agencies, domestic and foreign scientist will launch plans on protecting environment, preserving natural resources, maintaining and upholding values on geology, biodiversity, culture, history and ethnic traditions in the area. 

By Thuy Dung