Mysterious ‘Floating’ Lake Unveiled in Quảng Bình’s Thung Cave
Quảng Bình, The Gulf Observer: A remarkable discovery has emerged from the depths of Thung Cave, nestled within the renowned Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park in the central province of Quảng Bình. Unveiled during an expedition by the esteemed Junglee Boss adventure tourism company, the revelation of a hidden lake was formally announced by the company’s director, Lê Lưu Dũng.
Located approximately one kilometre from the cave entrance, within one of the most pristine caverns of the region, this extraordinary lake lies deep within a strictly protected zone of the national park. Positioned about 15 metres above the main underground river branch, the lake’s surreal appearance gives the illusion of “floating” against the cave wall.
Surrounded by stalactite columns and interconnected with an intricate underground river system, the newly unveiled lake boasts a captivating transparent emerald green hue. Provisionally christened as Lơ Lửng (meaning “floating”) lake, its distinct location adds to its enigmatic allure.
Despite the awe-inspiring discovery, the source of water feeding into the lake remains shrouded in mystery. The exploration team encountered a passage along the cave wall, crossing the primary underground river branch, yet the origin of the lake’s water eluded definitive determination due to the absence of depth-sensing equipment.
Lê Lưu Dũng affirmed the team’s commitment to returning for further surveys and explorations in the near future, underscoring the significance of unraveling the lake’s mysteries.
Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park, spanning over 123,000 hectares, is renowned for its diverse terrestrial and aquatic habitats, encompassing primary and secondary forests, sites of natural regeneration, and tropical dense forests. The park is particularly famed for its plethora of large, often spectacular caves, including the illustrious Sơn Đoòng – the world’s largest cave.
This pristine sanctuary has been honored twice as a World Natural Heritage Site. Initially bestowed with the prestigious title in July 2003 by UNESCO for its exceptional global value in terms of geology and geomorphology, the park earned further acclaim in July 2015 for its outstanding significance in evolutionary and developmental processes of terrestrial ecosystems, fostering vital natural habitats for biodiversity conservation.
The revelation of the Lơ Lửng lake stands as a testament to the enduring allure and uncharted wonders awaiting discovery within the Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park, further solidifying its status as a beacon of natural wonder and scientific intrigue.
