A crater 30 sq m and dense symbiotic coral reefs on sedimentary rock islands make Binh Chau waters in Quang Ngai province a rare geological heritage of the world.
A crater 30 sq m and dense symbiotic coral reefs on sedimentary rock islands make Binh Chau waters in Quang Ngai province a rare geological heritage of the world.
 The remains of an ancient crater was discovered in Ba Lang An Cape in Binh Chau Commune. Dr. Pham Quoc Quan, a member of the National Cultural Heritage Council, said the discovery was a special one in the waters of Vietnam.
 The ancient crater is filled with moss, grass and sea water. Scientists said that the ancient crater is very close to sea level but it is still intact. It was formed about 11 million years ago.  The ancient crater is surrounded by basalt grounds and unique ballad rock columns.  After three months of exploration, domestic and international experts said that Binh Chau waters had unique marine cultural and geological value. Also, experts have discovered a graveyard of "ancient wrecks" and sedimentary rock islands with many colorful coral reefs in the seabed of Binh Chau. 
Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hoang, from the Japan Institute of Geomorphology, called this place a wonder, with huge potential for tourism development and for scientific research.  Dr. Hoang said the tectonic geology from volcanic activity dated back 6 to 11 million years ago. The dense symbiotic coral reefs on volcano sedimentary rocks span about 24 sq km on the seabed.  Through ups and downs over time, sedimentary rocks around the crater are divided into separate clusters. Whenever the waves crash onto the shore, seawater flows through rock crevices like streams. The local government is about to ask the Ministry of Culture, Sports’s recognition of the place as a national relic site.  The Vietnam Agency of Geology and Minerals has proposed forming a geological park covering Binh Chau (Quang Ngai), Ghenh Da Dia (Phu Yen) and Trinh Nu basalt area (Dak Nong).  Dr. Nguyen Dang Vu, Director of the Department of Culture Sports and Tourism of Quang Ngai, said Binh Chau waters contains the history of eruptive activity and tectonic sedimentary of a characteristic volcanic region in Vietnam.
 Binh Chau used to be a bustling seaport many centuries ago. The remains of many ancient wrecks here shown evidence of that history. |
(Source:VNNet)
