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The World’s Largest Cave – Hang Son Doong Cave in Vietnam

The Truth News — Fri, 12 Jan 2024 09:35:53 +0000

The World’s Largest Cave – Hang Son Doong Cave in Vietnam

Hang Sơn Đoòng also known as Sơn Đoòng cave is a solutional cave in Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park, Bố Trạch District, Quảng Bình Province, Vietnam. As of 2009 it has the largest known cave passage cross-section in the world, and is located near the Laos–Vietnam border. Inside is a large, fast-flowing subterranean river. It was formed in Carboniferous/Permian limestone.

The World’s Largest Cave

Discovery

Hang Sơn Đoòng was found by a local man named Hồ Khanh in 1991. The whistling sound of wind and roar of a rushing stream in the cave heard through the entrance as well as the steep descent prevented the local people from entering the cave. Only in 2009 did the cave become internationally known after a group of scientists from the British Cave Research Association, conducted a survey in Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng from 10 to 14 April 2009. Their progress was stopped by a large, 60-metre (200 ft) high calcite wall, which was named the Great Wall of Vietnam. It was traversed in 2010 when the group reached the end of the cave passage.

Description

According to the Limberts, the main Sơn Đoòng cave passage is the largest known cave passage in the world by volume – 38.4×10⁶ cubic metres (1.36×10⁹ cu ft). It is more than 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) long, 200 metres (660 ft) high and 150 metres (490 ft) wide. Its cross-section is believed to be twice that of the next largest passage, in Deer Cave, Malayasia. The cave runs for approximately 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) and is punctuated by 2 large dolines, which are areas where the ceiling of the cave has collapsed. The dolines allow sunlight to enter sections of the cave and has resulted in the growth of trees as well as other vegetation.

Son Doong is considered to be the largest cave in the world, based on volume and also the biggest cave in Vietnam, found by Ho Khanh – a Phong Nha jungle man in 1990. In 2009, Hang Son Doong was officially surveyed and measured by the The British -Vietnam Cave Expedition Team led by Howard Limbert. The Expedition team then announced it as the world’s largest natural cave with a volume of 38.5 million m3. The measurements were then accepted by a number of world’s senior karst geologists including Dr. Tony Waltham. This team along with National Geographic magazine had announced Son Doong Cave as the largest natural limestone cave on the planet in the same year. In 2013, the Guinness World Records Organisation recorded it as the world’s largest natural cave.

Many people mistook Son Doong Cave – the largest cave in the world with Mammoth Cave – the world’s longest-known cave system, located in Mammoth Cave National Park ( an American national park in west-central Kentucky) and that Son Doong is the largest cave passage. However, this article will clarify the misunderstanding as well as give you a better acknowledgement of Son Doong Cave and its exploration. The cave contains some of the tallest known stalagmites in the world, which are up to 70 m tall. Behind the Great Wall of Vietnam were found cave pearls the size of baseballs, an abnormally large size. source

Origin of the name Son Doong

Traditionally, those who found the cave will name it. Therefore, Ho Khanh and the expert team discussed and decided to call the cave Son Doong (a combination of 2 words: Son means mountain, Doong is the name of the valley where the ethnic minority Bru Van Kieu lives, and the Thuong river coming from, or also means the cave in the limestone mountain with an underground river flowing through).

Unique features of Son Doong Cave

The Son Doong Cave has a total length of nearly 9 km long and the volume is up to 38.5 million cubic metres, which makes this cave the largest natural cave on the planet. With this volume, Hang Son Doong is 5 times larger than Deer cave in Malaysia, which was said to be the largest natural cave ( before Hang Son Doong was discovered) with 9.5 million cubic metres of volume. However, what makes Son Doong special, recognized and well-known by the world is the unique hidden underground world inside the cave itself. It has many complex and giant stalactites (over 80m high), primaeval rain forests growing inside the cave, its own ecosystem, weather or a mysterious underground river that no explorer has yet discovered to the end of it. Many visitors admitted that the Hang Son Doong Cave is like another world, Ginger Zee from ABC News’s – Good Morning America exclaimed that the sceneries in Son Doong were like those in the Avatar movie.

This amazing cave also houses an impressive ecosystem, inside the largest cave passage in the world. This huge and intricate cave system was created by the underground river, and filled with formations from the water that percolated down from a rainforest above. More of the highlights only found in this cave are:

There is one of the largest sections of Son Doong; from the beginning of this passage, you can see the light from Doline 1, 1.5km away. Estimated by cave experts that a 40-storey skyscraper can easily fit in this passage and it is large enough for a Boeing 747 to fly through. Moreover, the world’s tallest stalagmite, about 80m tall, is also located in this passage.

Underground river

There is an underground river inside Hang Son Doong Cave which is a combination of the water coming from En Cave and Khe Ry Cave (the longest underground river cave where the water comes from the Vietnam/Laos border area). From Son Doong entrance, you have to cross knee–deep rivers twice to reach the Hope and Vision Passage. There are emergency bridges in case of high water levels. The small waterfalls along the way create loud rumbles. Sometimes, the cave is filled with mist. This underground river disappears near Doline 1, about 4.5km away from the cave entrance. You can learn more about the underground river inside Hang Son Doong Cave here.

Fossil passage

Located next to the underground river at a depth of 40m below the campsite – Doline 1. This passage is imprinted with corals which have been fossilised hundreds of million years ago. This passage also has a 17 to 20 degrees Celsius underground lake in which visitors can swim and relax after a long hard trekking day. For safety reasons, life jackets and headlamps are required. Most visitors said that swimming in this cold underground lake is one of the best experiences that should not be missed in the Son Doong Expedition. You can read more about the Fossil passage here.

Doline 1 – Watch out for Dinosaurs

The collapsed ceiling of Son Doong formed a big opening to the outside, called Doline 1 (or skylight). Approximately 450 m high from the top to the bottom. This is also where the underground river disappears. On sunny days, there will be giant sunbeams coming in (from about 11 am to 1 pm), especially from January to March every year. Due to the solar orbit, the sunbeams shine deep inside the cave, illuminating the large passages. The beam from above the sky and the mist from the underground river create a majestic scene that can not be found elsewhere. Google Doodle has displayed this magnificent moment in Son Doong Cave on its search homepage. Many people said that it is like another planet, while others thought it was like the movie Avatar. Please learn more about Doline 1- Watch out for Dinosaurs here.

Doline 2 – Garden of Edam

Located about 1km away from Doline 1, this Doline has a primaeval forest growing 200 m deep inside the cave, below the limestone mountains. Coming out of Doline 1, you will see a small path leading to the forest. With a big opening on the top, this Doline allows a huge amount of sunlight to get into the cave, creating good conditions for many species of ferns, begonias, and even large trees, growing up along the path. You have to trek for 30 minutes to cross this forest to reach the second campsite, Doline 2. Please learn more about Doline 2 – Garden of Edam here.

Cave pearls

Cave pearls formed from drips of water from the ceiling that carries calcite carbonate rippling down to the gour pools on the floor of the cave. They come in different sizes and shapes, from as small as peas to as big as baseballs. The Son Doong cave pearls are naturally formed inside the gour pool and look gorgeous under the headlamps, especially on rainy days when water is running through them. These cave pearls are just ordinary calcium carbonate deposits that have no value, they will be discoloured and plain when taken outside or left under direct sunlight, as they will very rapidly dry out. Please learn more about Cave Pearls here.

Passchendaele Passage

There is a 600m lake below the Great wall of Vietnam. When the expedition team first approached the area, all of the water in the lake had drained out, leaving a hip-deep muddy passage. The members of the expedition team had to work really hard to go across this 600m muddy passage. It somehow reminded them of the movie about the battle of Passchendaele in World War I, the team decided to use the name Passchendaele to name this long and difficult passage. In many other months of the year or when it rains a lot, the water will fill up the passage to form a big beautiful jade-green lake. During the occasions when the lake is full of water, tourists will use rafts or boats to go through the Passchendaele. You can read more about the Passchendaele passage here.

The Great Wall of Vietnam

In April 2009, after nearly 10 days of exploration and surveying, the expedition team reached a giant calcite flowstone, blocking all ways out, they decided to return due to the lack of specialised equipment for climbing over this giant wall. Right after leaving Hang Son Doong Cave, based on measured parameters, the expedition team announced Son Doong as the largest natural cave in the world. No one knew what was behind that large stalagmite, at the time, therefore they called it The Great Wall of Vietnam to describe its impressiveness. Please learn more about the Great Wall of Vietnam here.

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Hope and Vision Passage inside Son Doong Cave

Hope and Vision is a large passage about 1.5km from the second river crossing session to Doline 1 in Son Doong Cave. With a giant cave dome, the cave explorers have described that this passage is big enough so that a Boeing 747 could easily fly through. 1.5km away from the beginning of the passage, visitors can see the dim light coming into the cave from the first Doline.

In the Hope and Vision passage, 40m below the path of the explorers, there is an underground river flowing and there is an iconic stalagmite called “Hand of Dog” and a huge cave formation considered as the tallest stalagmite by the cave.

The world’s tallest stalagmite in Hope and Vision

Hope and Vision Stalagmite located at the gateway of the passage, right after the underground river crossing inside Son Doong Cave. In 2009, British – Vietnamese Cave Expedition Team had measured and confirmed this stalagmite is 80m high. Additionally, directly on this stalagmite Ginger Zee, a famous host ABC News, sent a good morning to America on the Good Morning America show in May 2015.

This stalagmite could be the tallest stalagmite in the world with a height of 80m. That is lot taller than the stalagmite listed by the Guinness as the world’s tallest stalagmite in Zhi Jin Cave of China with 70m high.

Stalagmite formation named Hope and Vision has a height of 80m. Measured by the British-Vietnamese caving team using laser equipment in 2009. This stalagmite is currently the tallest stalagmite in the world.

The Hand Of Dog

The Hand of Dog is a giant stalagmite structure (the mushroom-like stalagmite) located between the areas that are known as Hope and Vision and Doline 1, about 2km from the entrance of Son Doong Cave and about 1 km from Doline 1 in Son Doong Cave. The reason for its incredible size – about 60m high – is because it was formed in an area of the cave where the roof is nearly 100m high and water droplets carrying calcium mineral (calcium carbonate) have flowed down at this point for hundreds of thousands of years. At a special viewpoint it is possible to see both huge stalagmites and take wonderful pictures.

The origin of Hand Of Dog

In the exploration to Son Doong Cave in 2009, members of the expedition were divided into groups of 2 people to conduct survey and measurement with laser light. Two experts Helen Brooke and Trevor Wailes were assigned to analyse the expansion of the cave and draw a map of this area. Because the cave passage was too large, experts had to segment and name each corridor for easy identification.

While Helen Brooke with laser equipment was responsible for going ahead and measuring the parameters of the cave, Trevor Wailes recorded measurements and described surrounding areas to draw a map.

As she approached the area, Helen saw a rock jutting out like a child’s hand, as in a television series she had just seen when she was a child. The shadow of the stone got clearer from the beams of light from the Sinkhole 1 that was more than 1km away. Helen decided to name this stalagmite the Hand of God. However, the distance between the 2 experts was quite far. Trevor misheard what Helen said, so he wrote Hand of Dog into the map instead. After the name Hand of Dog in Son Doong was recorded on the map, no one can change that name anymore.

This is an iconic stalagmite (not Hand of Dog stalactite) of Son Doong cave. Before approaching Hope and Vision, when looking towards Doline 1, visitors can see the silhouette of this iconic stalagmite looming up, with the light from the Doline behind, and the mist creating a majestic viewpoint in the largest cave in the world.

Camping in the clouds

The Hope and Vision passage in Son Doong Cave leads to the first campsite inside Son Doong. As you approach the base of the Hand of Dog stalagmite in Hang Son Doong Cave, you will see the first campsite, also known as ‘The Level Playing Fields’ nestled below the giant cave wall. From the campsite, we can see Doline 1, often hidden behind a layer of mist. The sound of the underground river can be heard but not seen from the campsite.

From the top of the chamber right next to the Hand of Dog you may see a layer of mist lying just below the campsite. Along with the sunlight coming in from outside the Doline, it makes people feel like the camp is on cloud nine.

This is a campsite that can pique your interest, from the steamy air, the sound of rushing water in the distance to the cooling temperature and a mystery layer of mist that comes and goes without any warning. You can feel the full spectrum of 4 seasons in just one night.

Do stalagmites stop growing if you touch them?

In general, cave formation is formed by drops of water dripping down from the roof/ceiling of the cave. The size of the formation depends on the speed of the water. The formation will STOP forming if there are no more drips of water falling down. Therefore, it is unlikely that the stalagmite will stop growing if you touch it, however, touching the stalagmite if unnecessary will AFFECT to the colour and growth of the stalagmite.
What’s the difference between a stalagmite and a stalactite?

The main difference of a stalagmite and a stalactite is: stalactites (also known as slag tight) grow down from the ceiling (“stick tight to the ceiling”), while stalagmites are accumulated up from the ground (“might reach the ceiling”), from the floor of the cave. source

Mashpi Lodge – Travel – Ecuador

The Truth News — Tue, 18 Jan 2022 06:37:19 +0000

Mashpi Lodge – Travel & Vacation – Ecuador

Luxurious Mashpi Lodge is hidden away in the Ecuadorian cloudforest amid the Choco Bioregion, one of the most biologically diverse places on Earth. Yet, the 24-suite lodge is surprisingly close to the nation’s capital, Quito. Thanks to this convenient location within the metropolitan district, guests can completely immerse themselves in nature without leaving upscale amenities behind.

Life At Mashpi Lodge

Built with sustainable construction techniques and featuring a modernist style created with earth tones, steel, stone, and glass, Marshpi Lodge blends in, and in some places, almost disappears into the landscape. Massive glass walls throughout the lodge, including each suite, provide unobstructed views and allow you to feel cocooned in nature whether you are dining on gourmet cuisine, lounging in bed, or soaking in the bathtub.

In the laboratory, guests of all ages are invited to learn about the ongoing scientific projects carried out by the staff and guest researchers. You may even get to see the newly discovered Mashpi Glass Frog, a new member of Ecuador’s lengthy species list, endemic to Mashpi. Outdoors, a viewing platform juts out over the forest and provides an ideal place for observing the 400 species of birds that share the area. Among the highlights of the lodge is the restaurant and Explorer’s Bar. The two-story glass-walled room is an exquisite setting for upscale dining.

The lodge’s chefs turn Ecuadorian cuisine into an artform by featuring native ingredients. Start the day with homemade jams, regional fruits, eggs, and hams. After a light lunch of ceviches, soups, and salads, dinner is a more formal occasion. Dishes such as sun-dried tomato salad, Fettucine with mountain garlic, and rack of lamb with mixed herbs and Ecuadorian root vegetables are the stars of the menu. Pair your meals with a glass fine wine or a cocktail crafted by master mixologists.

Excursions From Mashpi Lodge Ecuador

The unique activities and explorations from Mashpi Lodge aim to showcase the rainforest from every angle. From above, take a ride on the Dragonfly or the Sky Bike. The Dragonfly is an open-air cable car that carries four passengers on a 40-minute, 1.24-mile journey over and through the forest. The Sky Bike takes one peddler and one additional passenger on a 655-foot trip over a gorge, river, and trees.

You can also climb to the top of an 85-foot observation tower to spot toucans, tanagers, and parrots. Below, explore four trails, ranging from quick, easy walks to 2-mile hikes. While each trail at Mashpi Lodge presents an opportunity to see the area’s flora and fauna, the Jungle Swing trail is a stand-out.

This trail, which starts in new growth and ends in mature forest, demonstrates the jungle’s regeneration after deforestation. The trail is also true to its name and has a massive vine that guests can swing on. Sprinkled around the lodge are three waterfalls to swim in and a hummingbird garden.

Nurture Your Soul At The Wellness Center

Named after the native Kichwa word for “soul,” the Samay Wellness Center celebrates life through personalized services. The wellness center, which is spread over two areas, is nestled into lush foliage. Relax in an open-air hot tub while listening to birds and gazing at the cloud forest. Request a mat and spend some time meditating or practicing Savasana on the outdoor yoga deck.

The spa on the second floor of the lodge offers a wealth of decadent massages, exfoliating scrubs, and body wraps, several of which incorporate Ecuadorian chocolate. While each treatment is tempting, may we direct your attention to the Mashpi Altar massage? This open-air treatment is offered at the base of a waterfall and can be followed by a refreshing swim.

A stay at Mashpi Lodge and its private forest reserve provides the adventure of a lifetime for families, couples, and solo travelers. For birdwatchers, epicureans, and nature lovers who want a refined experience, this is the place to be.

At one with nature

The man behind Mashpi Lodge is Ecuadorian entrepreneur, environmentalist, and former mayor of Quito, Roque Sevilla.

The idea was to make a bubble of comfort in the middle of the jungle.

Alfredo Ribadeneira, lead architect

A timber company had previously owned the site, which Sevilla purchased 11 years ago, to save the forest and its inhabitants. Two years of building work and $10 million later, the resort opened in 2012.

“I think Mashpi Lodge is a very special case when it comes to the numerous eco-resorts around the world,” Sevilla tells us.

“(Protection of the area) is an ongoing effort and we’re still working on purchasing more land so we can guarantee 100% protection from logging, agriculture and mining.”

Mashpi Lodge as seen from an observation tower built for guests.

“The idea was to make a bubble of comfort in the middle of the jungle,” explains Ribadeneira. “The real luxury is the possibility of being part of this web of life as a spectator.”

On top of the network of logging roads that once covered the site the architects laid a grid of metal mesh tubes “encrusted in the land” to serve as the foundation of the property.

“The time it took to make all the foundations was very long,” Ribadeneira says. “In another place, you would just go and dig a hole and put down foundations — and that’s it.”

But Ribadeneira and his team took great care to avoid disturbing the forest, where possible.

For example, the timber firm left behind a platform where lumber machinery had been stored. Ribadeneira decided to locate the hotel there: not only did it have expansive views, but it also didn’t require trees to be cut down since the site’s vegetation had already been removed.

“If you walk around you’re not going to see building debris,” Marc Berry, the hotel’s general manager, tells us. “We’re very respectful of the forest.”

Lost in the jungle

Vertical lines have been used throughout Mashpi Lodge to mirror the forest.

“We tried to make all the vertical elements of the structure very slender and tall, aiming for a similar proportion to the trees nearby,” Ribadeneira explains.

Mashpi Lodge’s vertical structural elements are designed to evoke a feeling of being “lost” inside the jungle for its guests. Credit: Mashpi Lodge

Another way of bringing the forest inside was the extensive use of glass — there are floor-to-ceiling windows in the guest rooms, for example.

“The glass reflects the jungle; the glass makes you see from the windows. This generates a magnificent relationship with the exterior,” Ribadeneira adds.

One moment you are at ground level … and the next moment you are practically inside the canopy of the jungle.

Alfredo Ribadeneira

Furthermore, the hotel was built across three floors to provide a layered view of the forest.

The ground level, where the entrance and communal areas are, offers views of two lateral mountain ranges.

Most of the guest rooms take up the two floors above, looking out into the higher reaches of the forest.

“One moment you … are at ground level with bases of the trees very close to you — and the next moment you are practically inside the canopy of the jungle.

Views of the rainforest are visible at every turn from inside Mashpi Lodge.

“The sensation that this generates is very interesting,” Ribadeneira says.

In more practical sustainability terms, Mashpi Lodge has been running on hydro-electricity over the past year.

Meanwhile, 75% of the property operates energy efficient LED lights. The lodge sources its water from local rivers and treats it in a natural water plant on site, while used beverage crates are recycled to cover slippery paths.

Local villagers grow organic produce — fruits and the heart of palm vegetable — for the hotel’s kitchen, reducing the property’s carbon footprint.

If you build it, they will come

Ribadeneira admits that the building process was challenging.

“Initially, when the hotel was not yet inhabited, the reflection of the jungle in the windows made the birds crash against the glass,” he says.

The team leveled the windows in different angles so the birds wouldn’t hit them.

The Cloud Forest surrounding Mashpi Lodge is teeming with wildlife. Credit: Lucas Bustamante/tropicalherping.com

Transporting materials to the site and constructing the building was also difficult.

“Normally, you would work with materials that are nearby. In this case, the place is so complex that it’s very hard thinking about getting the materials there.”

I think people miss out this bit (in Ecuador) so this would be a lovely way to come and see it.

Michael Bloy, Mashpi Lodge guest

To avoid disturbing the wildlife, the architects used small cars and lots of manpower, rather than trucks. Each sheet of glass was carried in. Parts of the property were built off-site and reassembled once they arrived.

“You have to be very, very silent and you cannot go and have huge trucks and all those things,” he explains, or else the wildlife the property wanted to showcase would have fled forever.

Some parts of Mashpi Lodge were pre-assembled in Quito before taking shape on site. Credit: Mashpi Lodge

Indeed, an initial downturn in biodiversity proved unavoidable.

“The animals went away — but after a couple of years they were all back again,” says Ribadeneira. “That was a very good thing.”

With Mashpi Lodge receiving some 2,200 guests a year, it would seem that their efforts have paid off.

“Ecuador has a lot to offer anyway, but this seems a little bit special in terms of how you can approach the cloud forest and how you can see a little bit more of Ecuador,” guest Michael Bloy tells us.

“People tend to think of Ecuador as the Galapagos or the rainforest. I think people miss out on here, so this would be a lovely way to come and see it.”