Geology and Water Resources of Karstic Regions of Vietnam

Karst terranes are among the most unique geological features and comprise a significant portion of the territory of Vietnam. These areas have provided extensive geological and archeological evidence of the evolution of life on Earth, and host natural resources and exotic lands upon which a large human population depends. Most of the UNESCO-recognized natural heritages and geoparks of Vietnam are in karstic regions. These settings are also considered among the most vulnerable in the world to natural and/or man-induced hazards. A well-founded and diverse understanding of karst, arrived at using a multi-disciplinary approach combining expertise from different fields of geological sciences, is prerequisite to the preservation and sustainable use of natural resources and protection of humans from risks within the karst areas.
This book is dedicated to better understanding the geology, natural resources, natural and anthropogenic hazards in karst areas as well as the responsible use and sustainable management of karst areas. This is the first book of this type ever published on one of the most unique geological features of Vietnam. It will serve as an excellent reference resource on the geology and water resources of karstic area in Vietnam for students and professionals alike. Published in English, this book will help international readers to obtain useful information on the geology and natural resources of Vietnam and as such will stimulate further research and co-operation among different fields of expertise in karst geology from Vietnam and other areas of the world.