Geological Field Trip to HK National Geopark
On 20 December 2009, the Geotechnical and Marine (G&M) team of Hyder’s Hong Kong office organised a geological field trip by boat to the Sai Kung area of the Hong Kong National Geopark.
Geopark is a concept conceived by UNESCO to encompass scenic spots with special geo-scientific significance. To be selected, a Geopark must serve three objectives, namely (i) conservational, (ii) educational and (iii) sustainable development. Since its launching in 2004, 56 National Geoparks from 18 countries are included into Global Geopark Network, including 8 from the UK and 1 from Australia.
When the idea of setting up a HK Geopark was discussed around 2006, Hyder’s Director in G&M Dr Eric Li was excited. He soon teamed up with a few other people enthusiastic in this topic and lobbied HK government and local professional geological and geotechnical institutions to bring this idea forward. The works were initially painstaking and met a lot of objections. Firstly, the public did not believe that HK’s natural geological landscape is special and merits to become a Geopark. Secondly, the local professionals considered that such a Geopark will destroy the natural beauty and lose the conservation objective. Lastly, and most importantly, the Government did not believe that a Geopark will bring any benefit to the public. After year-long lobbying, the Government changed heart and the Chief Executive Donald Tsang included the establishment of a HK Geopark in his Policy Speech in 2008.
Preparatory works were started immediately and a Task Force was set up within the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department. Eric naturally became one of the Founding Members of the Task Force. The Task Force held planning meetings almost at bi-monthly interval. During the period, the Task Force studied the Geoparks established in other countries and adopted successful examples of managing and operating Geoparks. After more than 1-year’s hard work, the HK National Geopark was officially opened on 3 November 2009 by the Chief Executive. Since then, the various areas of the HK National Geopark become such popular spots for professional and amateur hikers, as well as many overseas visitors.
During the boat trip on 20 December, the participants were able to see the gigantic hexagonal rock columns, interesting weathering of quartz monzonite and many other geological features at a very close distance. Some non-engineers were amazed that HK’s Sai Kung area was a place with active volcanic eruptions some 140 miliion years ago. The hexagonal rock columns in HK are unique, as most hexagonal volcanic rock columns in other regions of the world (such as the Giant’s Causeway in Ireland) are usually alkaline basaltic lava. By contrast, the hexagonal columns in Hong Kong are acidic silica-rich rhyolitic volcanic rock. Their large coverage of over 100km2 (including sea area), average diameter of 1.2m and forming cliff exceeding 100m high all made them outrival similar columns in the world.
The field trip provided an excellent opportunity for the social gathering by various G&M new team members and their families. It is equally important that the key objectives of conservation, education and sustainable development of Geopark are promulgated to all the participants. Moreover, the seafood lunch at an exotic fishing village was particularly remembered by all. The crusade of Eric’s dream of listing the HK National Geopark into the UNESCO Global Geopark Network will continue.