Petrological Characteristics, Geological Development History, and Heritage Value of Typical Geological Features in the Vietnam South Central Region
Main Article Content
Abstract
During the Cenozoic, there are two types of basalts in the South Central region: Effusive basalts and explosive basalts. Effusive basalts include: i) Alkaline basalts with phenocrystal texture consisting of major minerals such as albite, augite, olivine, and sanidine. The basement has a hyalopilitic texture with sub-parallel albite microlites embedded in a volcanic glass. These characteristics demonstrate that magma partially melted in the deep lower part of the upper mantle; and ii) The tholeiitic basalts, which contain no phenocrysts, display a pilotaxitic groundmass texture dominated by obliquely extinguished mafic plagioclase microlites, suggesting derivation of the magma from the upper part of the upper mantle. The eruption of underwater basalts creates columnar shapes. The phenomenon of basalt explosions has carved out unique landscapes like basalt tuff layers, volcanic lakes, and complex cave systems. The stages of sea level rise in the Quaternary when the Earth warmed up, have carved marine notches and abrasive terraces at height from 60 m to 5 m. The interaction between endogenic and exogenic geological processes has shaped a diverse geological landscape of high scientific, aesthetic, and educational value and offering strong potential for development as a UNESCO Global Geopark in the Vietnam South Central region.
Keywords:
Eruptive basalt, explosive basalt, columnar basalt, alkaline basalt, tholeitic basalt, geoheritage.
References
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[11] D. V. Tiep, Geological and Mineral Map of Nha Trang Sheet Group at Scale 1:50,000, Center for Geological Information and Documentation, General Department of Geology and Minerals of Vietnam, Hanoi, 1991 (in Vietnamese).
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No. 4, 2004, pp. 493-502 (in Vietnamese).
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(in Vietnamese).
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[23] N. K. Quoc, L. N. Thuoc, Late Cenozoic Basalt Eruption in the South Central Coast. Geology and Minerals, Geological Map Federation, Hanoi, Vol. 1, 1979 pp. 137-158 (in Vietnamese).
[24] B. M. Tam (Editor), Magma of Vietnam, Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources, 2010 (in Vietnamese).
[25] N. V. Tuan, T. Nghi, T. T. Van, Stratigraphy of Quaternary Sand Formations Along the South Central Coast and Stratigraphic Significance, VNU Journal of Science: Earth and Environmental Sciences, Vol. 35, No. 2, 2019, pp. 74-90 (Vietnamese).
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[30] N. T. Phuong, P. T. Dung, T. H. Lam, H. V. Thang, Conditions of Basalt in the Central Highlands of Vietnam Based on Research on Mineral Composition Characteristics. Earth Sciences Journal, 2023 (in Vietnamese).
[31] V. M. Colin, G.J. Brian, T. Nghi, M. P. David, V. V. Vinh, T. N. Tinh, C. N. Gerald, Thermolumine Scence Ages for a Reworked Coastal Barrier, Southeastern Vietnam: a Preliminary Report, Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, No. 20, 2002, pp. 535-548.
[32] N. Hoang, M. F. J. Flower, Petrogenesis of Cenozoic Basalts from Vietnam: Implications for Origins of A Diffuse Igneous Province, J. Petrol., Vol. 39, No. 3, 1998, pp. 369-395.
[33] N. Hoang, M. F. J. Flower, R. W.Carlson, Major, Trace Element, and Isotopic Compositions of Vietnamese Basalts: Interaction of Hydrous EM1-rich Asthenosphere with Thinned Eurasian Lithosphere, Geochim, Cosmochim. Acta,
Vol. 60, No. 22, 1996, pp. 4329-4351.
[34] B. W. F. Michael, O. B. Lars, H. N. Lars, Geological Development of the Central and South Vietnamese Margin: Implications for Establishing the South China Sea, Indochinese Escape Tectonics and Cenozoic Volcanism,Techtonophusic, Vol. 478, 2009,
pp. 184-214.
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[36] C. Rangin, P. Huchon, X. Le Pichon, H. Bellon, C. Lepvrier, D. Roques, N. D. Hoe, P. V. Quynh, Cenozoic Deformation of Central and Southern Vietnam, Tectonophysics, Vol. 251, 1995,
pp. 79-196.
[37] P. Tapponnier, G. Peltzer, R. A.Y. Armijio, On the Mechanics of the Collision Between India and Asia, In: Collision Tectonics, Geol. Soc. Lond. Spec. Publ., Coward, M. P. and Ries A.C. (eds.), Vol. 19, 1986, pp. 115-157.
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D. D. Toat, Petrology of Erupting rocks. University of Mining and Geology, 2003 (in Vietnamese).