According to the Geological Institute (Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology), the phenomenon of land subsidence in Quang Tri is a normal geological disaster, typically occurring in limestone regions. However, the Geological Institute also reported that there is no funding available to conduct on-site investigations to better understand the causes of the aforementioned land subsidence.
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Dr. Tran Trong Hue and specialists from the Geological Institute are examining maps to determine the age of the limestone region in Cam Lo, Quang Tri (Photo: VNN) |
In an interview with reporters on the morning of February 20, Dr. Tran Trong Hue, the Director of the Geological Institute, stated that since they have not yet surveyed Tan Huyen in Cam Tuyen commune, Cam Lo district, the experts have not been able to confirm the cause or accurately pinpoint this geological disaster.
However, subsidence typically occurs in limestone areas, and Cam Lo is located on a limestone formation that dates back approximately 260 to 380 million years.
One potential cause could be the activity of the Cam Lo fault, which has caused significant fracturing of the rock in the limestone layer underground, facilitating the formation of voids and caves. When geological disturbances occur, these caves may collapse, producing explosive noises and dragging the soil above them down.
The significant fracturing mentioned above could also create cracks in the limestone layer. Underground rivers may form from these cracks. Due to natural factors or human activity, the groundwater level can drop, causing subsidence of the rock above.
According to documents from the Geological Institute, similar land subsidence phenomena also occurred in early 2005 in Y La and Ham Yen (Tuyen Quang). The disaster site lies along the Lo River fault and also has limestone beneath it. Previously, subsidence occurred in Thanh Ba (Phu Tho) due to groundwater extraction, which also lies in a limestone area.
Dr. Hue further noted that when constructing large projects, the surveying process can easily identify the risk of subsidence, allowing for appropriate measures to be taken. However, currently, Vietnam does not have the means to survey subsidence risks for each small residential area.
It is known that the operational budget of the Geological Institute has been contracted out, leaving the Institute without funds to send a research team to investigate the geological disaster mentioned above.
The Institute has also repeatedly requested the Ministry of Science and Technology to provide a budget known as a regular fund.
A representative from the Geological Institute added that if this funding were available, the Institute could dispatch equipment for immediate research in the event of a geological disaster. Based on this, they could issue follow-up warnings and provide explanations so that the public understands the situation and takes precautions.
Minh Son
