Natural masterpieces: Ly Son Island - 'Living museum' in the middle of the ocean

FIVE SPIRITS IN THE SEA

According to geological studies, the crater in Ly Son began to form about 25 - 30 million years ago. About 10,000 years ago, violent basalt eruptions created a unique terrain with a total of 10 craters, distributed including 6 craters on Big Island, 1 crater on Small Island and 3 craters on the seabed. Over time, the ancient volcanoes have gone extinct but left spectacular traces, turning Ly Son into one of the islands with the most unique landscape and geological values ​​in Vietnam.

Towering cliffs on Ly Son island

PHOTO: PHAM ANH

In a seminar on geology and culture related to Sa Huynh and Ly Son, Dr. Pham Thi Ninh (Vietnam Archaeological Association) said that the geology and topography of Ly Son island were mainly formed from ancient basalt eruptions. The most prominent are the 5 craters on the Big Island: Hon Tai, Hon Tien, Hon Soi, Hon Vung and Thoi Loi. Along with Hon Dun on the Small Island, people and archaeologists call the 5 mountains on the Big Island "ngu linh" or "ngu son", each island has its own nuances and spirit, like a mascot guarding the island in the middle of the ocean.

Setting foot on Thoi Loi peak, the highest peak of the island (about 149 m above sea level) is an experience not to be missed when coming to Ly Son. In the early morning, the first rays of sunlight touch the jet-black basalt cliffs, reflecting on the turquoise sea, creating a shimmering scene like a dreamland. When the sun rises high, the sea breeze caresses the grassy hills and forests, making the entire mountain top glow with a warm yellow color.

Nestled in the crater of an ancient volcano, Thoi Loi freshwater lake is like a precious "treasure" among the rocky island. The lake's surface ripples, shining with a golden color like floating crystals, gentle and brilliant.

Ly Son Island is beautiful

PHOTO: HUU THU

Thoi Loi peak still preserves an ancient primeval forest, which was once strictly protected. Inside the mountain is a large stone cave, where people built a temple to worship Buddha, called Thien Khong Thach Tu, hidden in the cliffs precariously between the sky and clouds.

On the east side of Ly Son Island is Hang Cau, where the sea and mountains blend together to form spiral-shaped cliffs with strange rock patterns like the hand of heaven and earth. The towering stone pillars, their surfaces marked by the erosion of the waves and wind, depict a majestic abstract picture.

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Nam (Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources) said that Ly Son is a precious geomorphological treasure, not only of national value but also of international geological heritage. Rare topographical formations such as eroded seabeds, sea caves, natural stone bridges... are all clear evidence of millions of years of volcanic activity.

Hon Thoi Loi is the highest rock block on Ly Son island.

PHOTO: PHAM ANH

On that unique geological background, Ly Son Island still preserves many prehistoric relics and historical traces associated with Sa Huynh culture, island culture and the heroic Hoang Sa fleet. All of these elements blend together to create a unique cultural and geological heritage of Southeast Asia.

L SON IN THE LEGEND OF THE KOR PEOPLE

Ly Son is also present in the folklore of the Kor people, residents of western Quang Ngai . To the Kor people, Ly Son is called Dak Ta Ly. According to legend, this island was once part of Ta Ly village in the Ca Dam mountain area, then washed out to sea by a great flood.

Cliffs in Hang Cau, Ly Son Island

PHOTO: PHAM ANH

The remaining stone slabs on the Rabua River and the undulating hills in the west of Tra Bong District are evidence of the fierce battle between gods and humans in the past.

According to cultural researcher Cao Chu, this story may have originated from a great flood in the past. The anecdote not only explains the Kor people's hesitation when performing the rain-praying ceremony, but also contributes to explaining the origin of the culture and people on Ly Son island.

The concave and convex cliffs are due to geological formations on Ly Son Island.

PHOTO: PHAM ANH

Today, standing in the middle of the sea and sky of Ly Son, where rocks, fire, water and legends converge, people not only feel the majestic beauty but also see the cultural depth spreading from the ancient mountain. A living museum in the middle of the ocean, where nature, legends and human souls sublimate together. (continued)

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nhung-tuyet-tac-thien-nhien-dao-ly-son-bao-tang-song-giua-trung-khoi-185250524194638252.htm