According to the plan, this title for Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba archipelago along with 99 other scenic spots around the world will be announced at the 37th International Geological Congress, scheduled to take place in Busan (Korea). ) from August 25-31, 2024.
According to the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS), the candidate Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba archipelago made it to the final list of 100 International Geological Heritage sites, phase 2 after a careful selection and evaluation process. science from 85 of the world's leading experts against 174 candidates from 65 countries.
Also according to the International Union of Geological Sciences, Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba archipelago is on the list of special places in terms of geomorphology, geology and geological surface change process. Accordingly, Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba archipelago is considered to be the most typical and endemic example in the world of limestone mountains formed in the middle of the sea due to geological changes and water erosion. sea.
The title "100 International Geological Heritage" is awarded every 2 years by IUGS.
It is known that the limestone geological tectonic history of Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba archipelago has gone through about 500 million years with very different paleogeographic circumstances; and the full karst evolution took over 20 million years with a combination of factors such as thick limestone layers, a hot and humid climate, and an overall slow tectonic uplift process.
In terms of geomorphology and geology, Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba archipelago clearly shows that it is one of the most comprehensive and widely recognized examples in the world of karst towers submerged by the sea and is one of the most comprehensive and widely recognized examples in the world of karst towers submerged by the sea. The most important karst areas are Phong Tung (cone peak cluster) and Phong Linh (isolated tower features).
The traces of geological evolution and tectonic movements left behind are faults, folds, grabens, terranes, basins and formations that mark profound changes in the paleogeographic situation. area.
In addition, the sea also directly participates in the karst process here, with specific products created, such as sea urchins, sea frog caves, and luon caves. The sea also submerges funnels, sinkholes and karst valleys, creating saltwater lakes, or pines. The caves here are very rich and diverse, belonging to 3 main cave groups: ancient underground caves (hanging caves), karst caves, and marine frog caves.
