Gửi bình luận
DNO - A newly discovered cave in Vietnam’s Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park has revealed a striking and rare natural phenomenon: a waterfall plunging 350 meters inside the cavern.
A survey team from the Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park Management Board recently identified and began exploring the cave.
Initial findings indicate the cave descends vertically to a depth of about 350 meters. Within this vertical shaft, a stream flows from above, forming a dramatic underground waterfall, a feature experts describe as extremely uncommon in cave systems.
Despite the significance of the finding, researchers caution that the survey remains incomplete.
Large sections of the cave have yet to be accessed and scientists say further exploration is needed before a full assessment of the site’s geological structure and hydrological characteristics can be made.
Located in Quang Tri Province, Central Vietnam, the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is widely regarded as one of the most majestic limestone karst ecosystems in the world.
Often referred to as the “Kingdom of Caves,” the UNESCO-listed park is home to more than 425 known caves, around 50 of which have been opened for tourism.
Among them is Son Doong Cave, recognised as the largest cave in the world, first discovered by locals in 1990 and officially explored in 2009.
Son Doong features its own ecosystem and underground river system, highlighting the geological complexity of the region.
While subterranean waterways are not unusual in karst environments, the formation of a waterfall of this magnitude within a cave is considered exceptionally rare.
Such features require a unique combination of geological structure, water flow and vertical space, conditions not commonly found together.
The newly discovered waterfall could therefore provide valuable insights into the evolution of cave systems and underground hydrology in the region.
It may also add to the scientific and conservation value of Phong Nha-Ke Bang, which continues to yield new discoveries despite decades of exploration.
Authorities said further surveys and detailed studies will be conducted in the coming months, with more comprehensive information expected to be released once the research is complete.
For now, the find underscores the untapped potential of Vietnam’s cave networks and the possibility that even in one of the world’s most studied karst regions, significant natural wonders remain hidden underground.