A team of explorers from the British Cave Research Association (BCRA) has discovered 57 new caves in the central province of Quang Binh, in which five were formed five million years ago, under a lake.

On June 22nd, Quang Binh announced the results of exploring new caves in the province.

The 57 new caves were discovered from March 5th to April 10th with a total length of 20,217 metres. They were documented

with GPS and were put on the map of Quang Binh’s caves.

For the first time, the delegation discovered caves under the lake, such as Hoa Huong (2,876 metres), the biggest cave among those in Quang Binh.

Entrance to Hoa Huong, a cave which was evaluated to have special value for geology, science and tourism.

Currently, there is no water in the cave.

Tien Cave 2 (2,519 metres) in Minh Hoa district.

Bom Cave (1,500 metres), Dinh 1 Cave (1,430 metres), Ruc Ma Rinh 2 Cave (1,360 metres) and Cay Sanh Cave (850 metres).

Howard Limbert, the team leader, said BCRA has proposed Quang Binh to put these caves into operation.

According to Howard Limbert, the exploration team has found evidence that the caves were formed under water and that tectonic movement might have redirected the water flow in the area millions of years ago.

The delegation learned survival skills from the natives, cut climbing plant and forest banana to seek water.

Some expeditions had stay in the forest for eight days.

They discovered many strange animals such as fish, crustaceans with transparent bodies.

It was the 17th exploration trip of the BCRA team in Phong Nha-Ke Bang area, Quang Binh, since 1990.

The team has to date surveyed 311 caves of all sizes here, totalling more than 200 km in length.

(Photo: BCRA) ( Compiled by VNF )