Vietnam’s iconic Kissing Rocks at risk of collapse

The iconic Kissing Rocks, a symbol of Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay, face the threat of collapse, Vietnam News reported citing a study by the country’s Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources. The emblematic natural monument needs protection to avoid the attacks of geological processes and rising sea levels.

This tourist attraction, with a height of approximately 13.9 meters, stands out among thousands of islets unique in shape and size. Known as ‘Hòn Trống Mái’, these two rocks form like a rooster and a hen facing each other. Due to geological and tectonic movements, together with the influence of the water level, they present a single inclined structure with multiple fractures, on a thinner base.

Main factors that affect them

“There are many factors that affect ‘Hòn Trống Mái’, such as waves, wind, water, tides, currents, plants and people,” says Hồ Tiến Chung, head of the Department of Tectonics and Geomorphology. «At low tide, tourists can see that the rocks are precarious. The water level is low and exposes the support of the rocks, which is gradually eroding, with the consequent risk of collapse, if measures are not taken to protect and reinforce them soon,” he adds.

Last month, specialists from the institute warned that almost 40 rocks, composed mainly of Carboniferous-Permian limestone, are at risk of sliding and falling. Human activities, including illegal fishing and unregulated tourism, further accelerate erosion and landslide processes, Chung noted. Although tourists are not allowed to approach the rocks, the passage of tourist vehicles continues to negatively affect them.
Mitigation measures

To counteract corrosion at the base of the rocks, the institute’s experts suggest implementing technical solutions. Furthermore, they recommend that the Ha Long Bay management board introduce measures to regulate the movement of tourist vehicles. This would involve controlling the speed of boats in the vicinity of the rocks and educating local fishermen to refrain from operating around that area. With RT

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