Unique Thuan An volcano

A corner of Thuan An volcano

According to scientists , Thuan An volcano was active about 781,000 - 126,000 years ago and is still quite intact, with a diameter of about 300 m, a height of about 80 m, a slope of about 200 on a terrain height of 867 m above sea level. In fact, the volcano is slightly oval in shape, with the southwest slope being steeper, while the northeast slope forms 2 gradually sloping steps. Right at the mouth and slope of the volcano, scientists only found ash, bombs, and volcanic debris, so they have not yet identified and delimited the related lava flows. They have only temporarily concluded that this is a volcano that operates in an explosive manner.

One of the evidences confirms the relatively young age of this volcano. Specifically, in Dak Song commune, located to the east of Thuan An volcano, there is an area of about 10,000 hectares called "cold forest", with a temperature about 3 - 4 degrees Celsius lower than other forests. Of which, about 4,000 hectares of "cold forest" land has been converted to coffee cultivation, but the temperature here is still about 2 degrees Celsius lower than the surrounding areas. Not far away, there are many CO2-rich mineral springs being exploited to recover CO2 for the processing of soft drinks. When there is no exploitation, this spring can spray 15 meters above the ground. The phenomenon of CO2 release from underground springs will reduce the temperature of the area, which is also common in volcanic regions around the world . On the other hand, the existence of hot mineral springs in the area is also a sign that this land is in a period of latent movement.

Not only having natural value, Thuan An volcano is also associated with the legend of the M'nong people. The ancients said that this place used to be the space of the gods protecting the village, associated with many legendary stories about love, strength and the desire to conquer nature. These legends have been passed down by word of mouth through many generations, becoming part of the unique intangible cultural treasure of the M'nong people.

According to the story of old man Y Kai in Bon Jun Juh, Duc Lap commune, in the past, the mountain god Nam Nung had extremely strong health and ruled over a large area of land. One day, the mountain god Nam Nung traveled everywhere and saw the mountain god Nam Le (Cambodia) had an extremely beautiful daughter, so he was determined to take her back. Feeling sorry for his daughter, but because the mountain god Nam Le was weak, he could not save his daughter. After thinking for a long time, the mountain god Nam Le invited the mountain god Nam Gler (the giant mountain - Thuan An volcano) to be a peace envoy to negotiate with the god Nam Nung to bring his daughter back. No matter what terms were proposed, the mountain god Nam Nung did not accept, so the negotiation failed. Too angry, the mountain god Nam Gler - an ambassador specializing in reconciliation but failed, the mountain god Nam Le stomped on the top of the mountain Nam Cler so hard that the mountain Nam Cler collapsed, creating a basin.

To mark this event, later, the local people often called Thuan An volcano “Nâm Gler R’luh” mountain to explain why the mountain top sank. With its geological value, unique landscape and legends associated with the life of the M’nong people, Thuan An volcano is not only an attractive destination for tourists but also a precious heritage that needs to be preserved and promoted. This is also the pride of Lam Dong people on the journey to build and develop Dak Nong UNESCO Global Geopark.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/doc-dao-nui-lua-thuan-an-390573.html