Hoi Ha Wan has geo-attractions too. These are not as unusual or spectacular as Tung Ping Chau but they are impressive in their own way.
Geologically, Hoi Ha Wan is built upon a very different rock from which Tung Ping Chau was carved. Here, tuffs rule the rocks. Around Hoi Ha they are Rhylotic crystal tuff. South-east from Hoi Ha near High Island another tuff appears. This is vitric tuff. Tuff is a volcanic rock composed of compacted, medium to-fine-grained pyroclastic material which was, in days lost deep in geological history, ejected by volcanic explosion. The term pyroclastic has its linguistic origins in classical terms (Greek) meaning 'broken by fine' (Whittow 2000).
However these volcanic explosions last took place ~150+ million years ago. Today, the slow, steady processes of weathering and erosion have given us a landscape made of rocky outcrops visible even on the mostly quiet, peaceful, sandy shores at the landward end of Hoi Ha Wan. The surrounding hills of Hoi Ha Wan also display attractive rocks which sit like monuments to the past giving us confidence for the future as well as links with the geological history of Hong Kong.
Photo tour
Here is a slideshow of images from Hoi Ha Wan.
The ambiance created by the landscape surrounding Hoi Ha Wan provide aesthetic power to the presence of a marine park. Ecologically, the stability bestowed by these solid tufficous rocks helps to sustain the landscape on which a vegetated ecosystem which covers the hills of Hoi Ha can develop.
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