Summary

Volcanic cave - global outstanding, unique highlight of Dak Nong UNESCO global geopark

La Thế Phúc, Hiroshi Tachihara, Tsutomu Honda, Lương Thị Tuất, Bùi Văn Thơm, Phạm Đình Sắc, Nguyễn Khắc Sử, Nguyễn Tiến Hóa, Vũ Trọng Tấn, Nguyễn Tiến Sơn, Nguyễn Lợi Lộc,
Đinh Xuân Hoàng, Nguyễn Thanh Tùng, Đặng Thị Hải Yến, Nguyễn Trung Minh.

Volcanic caves in Krong No area, Dak Nong province were discovered in 2007, detailed surveyed, measured and mapped from 2012 to 2017, then have been studied in the multidisciplinary fields (geological heritage - biodiversity - cultural heritage and environmental bio-geochemistry) since 2017 to present. In term of geology, Krong No volcanic caves are primary/endogenic caves, otherwise, their entrances are mainly secondary/exogenous origin. Interior formations in Krong No volcanic caves are plentiful and diverse. They are authentification evidences for the primary/endogenic origin and the formation mechanism of volcanic cave due to gas escape - volume shrinkage of lava flow. Biologically, Krong No volcanic cave is the habitat of many species, including endemic species only found living there. In term of cutural heritages: Krong No volcanic caves contain archaeological relics, especially prehistoric human remains, which are very rare in The Central Highlands, as well as in volcanic caves of the world. The bio-geochemistry environment in Krong No volcanic caves is distinctive favourable for preservation of organic materials, animal bones and teeth, as well as prehistoric human remains. The global outstanding value of Krong No volcanic cave system was established in all three fields of geological, biological and cultural/prehistoric archaeological heritages. They all have been comprehensively studied, established for conservation, meeting community’s various needs and tourism exploitation, contributing to socio-economic sustainable development. Some initial typical research results on heritage in Krong No volcanic caves of Dak Nong UGGp will be introduced in this article.

Keywords: volcanic cave, geological heritage/geoheritage, prehistoric relic, geopark, Dak Nong.