Volcanic Eruptions & Geological formation

Mount Erciyes, Hasandagi and Golludag were active volcanoes in the geological
periods. Alongside with many other volcanoes, eruptions of these volcanoes
started in the Early Miocene (10 million years ago) and have continued until the
present day.

The lava produced by these volcanoes, under the Neogene lakes, formed a layer of
tufa on the plateaus, which varied in hardness and was between 100 and 150m
thick. Other substances in the layer are ignimbrite, soft tufa, tufa, lahar, ash,
clay, sandstone, marn, basalt and other agglomerates.

Plateaus, having been essentially shaped with the lava from the bigger volcanoes,
were continuously altered with the eruptions of smaller volcanoes. Starting in
the Early Pliocene Period, the rivers in the area, especially Kizilirmak (the
Red River), and local lakes contributed to the erosion of this layer of tufa
stone, eventually giving the area its present day shape.

Fascinating Curves
Another characteristic feature of the area is the sweeping curves on the sides
of the valleys, formed by rainwater. The array of colors seen on some of the
valleys is due to the difference in heat of the lava layers. Such patterns can
be seen in Uchisar, Cavusin / Gulludere, Goreme / Meskendir, Ortahisar / Kizilcukur
and Pancarlik valleys.