Howard Limbert, Head of a group of scientists from the UK, saidthey will open a large-scale search effort for new caves in Vietnam’scentral province of Quang Binh.
The move cameafter the American television network ABC (American BroadcastingCompany) on May 13 made a live broadcast through the Good MorningAmerica programme featuring En and Son Doong caves – secluded in thecore area of the provincial UNESCO-recognised Phong Nha-Ke BangNational Park .
Howart said there is vastpotential within the Ke Bang karst mountain and ventured that theremight be a bigger or equally-sized cave to Son Doong – recognised as theworld’s largest cave in 2009, according to Saigon Giai Phong (SaigonLiberated) newspaper.
Initial studies indicate thatEn cave – which is around two kilometres from Son Doong and the thirdbiggest cave in the world, does not serve as an outlet for flood watersto drain from Son Doong cave, but as the waters do drain every floodseason, there are assumptions about the existence of an undiscoveredcavern system within the Ke Bang karst mountain.
Thetwo-hour broadcasting from the ABC drew the attention of about 6million subscribers and about 60 million others on the internet. This isthe first live feed from an Asian country for Good Morning America –the number one morning show in the US.
Toprepare for the programme, ABC sent a 15-member crew and more than atonne in specialised equipment to Vietnam . A 32-second trailer ofthe programme, which used modern fly cams to take aerial shots, wasscreened online last week, attracting viewers.
SonDoong Cave , which scientists believe was formed 2-5 million yearsago, was first discovered in the Phong Nha-Ke Bang NationalPark by a local man in 1991.
The cave was latermade public in 2009 by a group of British scientists from the BritishCave Research Association after they extensively surveyed the area.
Son Doong has a length of at least 6.5 kilometres and is estimated tobe 200 metres in width and at least 150 metres in height (its largestchamber reaches an incredible 250 metres in height, enough space toaccommodate 40-storey skyscrapers).
It contains at least 150 individual grottos, a dense subterranean jungle, and several underground rivers.
US photographer Ryan Deboodt said millions of US viewers had anopportunity to admire the floral system, untouched tropical forests andwondrous rivers and sands inside the cave, creating a one-of-a-kindnatural wonder.
He said it is hard to demonstrate the cave’s incomparable beauty in words.
Programme host Ginger Rene described the caves as never-before-seenand breathtakingly beautiful destinations in the world.
Son Doong is expected to be the most outstanding symbol of Vietnam’s tourism in the future.-VNA
The move cameafter the American television network ABC (American BroadcastingCompany) on May 13 made a live broadcast through the Good MorningAmerica programme featuring En and Son Doong caves – secluded in thecore area of the provincial UNESCO-recognised Phong Nha-Ke BangNational Park .
Howart said there is vastpotential within the Ke Bang karst mountain and ventured that theremight be a bigger or equally-sized cave to Son Doong – recognised as theworld’s largest cave in 2009, according to Saigon Giai Phong (SaigonLiberated) newspaper.
Initial studies indicate thatEn cave – which is around two kilometres from Son Doong and the thirdbiggest cave in the world, does not serve as an outlet for flood watersto drain from Son Doong cave, but as the waters do drain every floodseason, there are assumptions about the existence of an undiscoveredcavern system within the Ke Bang karst mountain.
Thetwo-hour broadcasting from the ABC drew the attention of about 6million subscribers and about 60 million others on the internet. This isthe first live feed from an Asian country for Good Morning America –the number one morning show in the US.
Toprepare for the programme, ABC sent a 15-member crew and more than atonne in specialised equipment to Vietnam . A 32-second trailer ofthe programme, which used modern fly cams to take aerial shots, wasscreened online last week, attracting viewers.
SonDoong Cave , which scientists believe was formed 2-5 million yearsago, was first discovered in the Phong Nha-Ke Bang NationalPark by a local man in 1991.
The cave was latermade public in 2009 by a group of British scientists from the BritishCave Research Association after they extensively surveyed the area.
Son Doong has a length of at least 6.5 kilometres and is estimated tobe 200 metres in width and at least 150 metres in height (its largestchamber reaches an incredible 250 metres in height, enough space toaccommodate 40-storey skyscrapers).
It contains at least 150 individual grottos, a dense subterranean jungle, and several underground rivers.
US photographer Ryan Deboodt said millions of US viewers had anopportunity to admire the floral system, untouched tropical forests andwondrous rivers and sands inside the cave, creating a one-of-a-kindnatural wonder.
He said it is hard to demonstrate the cave’s incomparable beauty in words.
Programme host Ginger Rene described the caves as never-before-seenand breathtakingly beautiful destinations in the world.
Son Doong is expected to be the most outstanding symbol of Vietnam’s tourism in the future.-VNA
