Precarious future: The battle to save Taiwan's Queen's Head

"The neck may become too thin to support the head and might break off within the next five to 10 years, if nothing is done," warns Hsieh Kuohuang, a professor at the Institute of Polymer Science and Engineering at National Taiwan University.

"Any strong earthquakes or severe typhoons may bring down the rock formation," says Hsieh, who is one of the scientists studying how to preserve the rock.

Researchers say the circumference of the neck is shrinking by 1.5 cm to 1.6 cm each year, making it harder to support the 1.3-tonne head.

"The shape of 'Queen's Head' today looks most elegant," says Helena Tang of Neo-Space International Inc which manages the geopark where the rock stands.

"But sadly, there's not much time left."

Hsieh's team have been experimenting with ways to save the formation, which stands 8 meters tall from its base.

Using nanotechnology - which manipulates tiny matter on an atomic and molecular scale-Hsieh and his team developed paints to protect the rock.

"Our analysis shows that the strength of the rock's neck could be intensified by up to three times, while the surface resistance to erosion could be enhanced markedly," Hsieh says.

So far the paint has been applied to surrounding rocks, rather than to the Queen's Head itself, but initial tests in August were unsuccessful as the paint peeled off.

Since then the ingredients have been tweaked and applied to other rocks in the geopark, Hsieh says.