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| CAVES |
Speleological
Potential Of Turkey
About one third of Turkey is underlain by
carbonate rocks. The intense karstification is
spread almost all over Turkey. It is found
particularly in the regions of the Taurus
Mountain Range, in Northwest Anatolia, in Konya
closed basin and in Southeastern Anatolia.
Karstification is present both at high altitudes
(over 2000 m.) and also it is known to exist at
elevations below the sea level, such as Ovacik
submarine springs, Kas - Kalkan submarine
springs and the Mediterranean region coastal
springs. Turkey is thoroughly located in the
Mediterranean sector of the Alpine orogenic
belt. The Alpine orogeny and the following
epirogenic movements in Turkey have been
important factors in karstification. According
to Eroskay and Günay (1979), four karst regions
can be differentiated in Turkey Taurus region,
Central Anatolia region Southern Anatolia
region, and Northwest Anatolia and Thrace
region.
TAURUS REGION:
This is the most important and largest karst
region in Turkey. Taurus mountain ridges can be
identified as the Alp's extension in Anatolia.
It begins at the Aegean coast, continues through
northeast of the Mediterranean sea to Iran and
over eastern Anatolia. In this region between
the Mediterranean coast and central Anatolia the
width of carbonate units is mostly 200 km along
the Taurus mountains, and the peaks of the sharp
limestone hills are as high as 2500-3000 meters.
The stratigraphy of the region contains
different units from Cambrian to recent age.
There are some parotocton metamorphits. Mesozoic
limestones and dolomites occur in over 1000 m.
thick layers. The evolution of the ophiolitic
melange in the Late Cretaceous exists as an
impervious base or cover according to the
stratigraphical and structural position of the
carbonate units. Important caves mostly exist
along these contact lines.
CENTRAL ANATOLIA REGION:
Central Anatolian region, which is located in
the north of Taurus belt, seems a typical closed
basin, morphologically bounded with high
mountains. The average elevation is around 1200
m. The recrystallized hard limestones of
Jurrasic and Crataceous age, which bounded the
basin on the south and west, are the extension
of Taurus. The ophiolite settlement in the late
Crataceous overlies the older carbonate units.
The Neogene units, which cover large areas in
the basin, are mostly on ophiolitic basement.
Sometimes they are in contact with older
limestones. Neogene limestone is locally called
as Obruk limestone. The collapsed dolines in the
basin which are called obruk, are the typical
karst features.
SOUTHEAST ANATOLIA REGION:
Considering the regional geology at the south of
the Taurus belt, marginal folds and stable
platforms units have been differentiated. In the
marginal folds belt, karst has been developed
mostly in the Midyat limestone of Eocen age.
Gercüs or older impervious units underlie the
Midyat limestone, as Korudag uplift. Sometimes
carbonates of Mardin group of Cretaceous age
crop out. Stable platform units are located at
the south of marginal folds. It is the typical
plateau-shaped smooth area of southeast
Anatolia. In these region, large caves like the
Taurus belt are rare.
NORTHWEST ANATOLIA AND THRACE REGION:
In these region, limestone blocks covers limited
areas when compared with other regions. In the
Thrace part, Eocen limestone which lies along
the southern margin of Istranca massif, Aegean
part, Permian- Mesozoic limestones which overlie
the older metamorphic massifs and Western Black
Sea part Jurassic-Cretaceous flysch formations
are important karstic units. Extracted from
Günay - Eroskay (1979).
TURKISH CAVE RESEARCHED ASSOCIATION
"Turkish Cave Research Association" has been
established on April 1964. Activities has been
carried under basic principles and aims such as
general research, classification, scientific
studies and touristic visits. Between the years
1964 - 1980 while representation of Turkey has
been made at the international speleology
platforms, also research activities has been
undertaken with the French, Italian and English.
In the meantime, as the Association we have
participated in the activities carried at Cennet,
Cehennem, Insuyu, Narlikuyu, Damlatas and
Yalandünya caves to be opened to tourism. After
1980, researches were made with more weight
given to the sports side of caving. During this
term, more than fifty caves have been taken
under research, maps have been prepared and the
majority of these researches and activities has
been published in the Association's bulletin.
Furthermore, these activities have been made
public through the exhibitions and meeting,
conferences and with this aim, together with the
Turkish Radio Television-TRT - Documentary of
the Turkish Caves; Altinbesik, Indere, Tulumtas
caves documentary programmes has been prepared.
Right now, activities are being carried at the
Central Taurus mountain region range.
DIRECTORATE OF THE INSTITUTE OF MINERAL
RESEARCH
The Cave Research Project, operating since 1979
under the Directorate of the Institute of
Mineral Research (M.T.A.), has completed the
study of 150 caves of various sizes, despite
shortages in personnel and equipment. The goal
of the project is to determine the economical
potential of caves rather than discovering the
largest ones. The other aim is to form an
inventory of Turkish caves. In accordance with
the goals mentioned above, most of the research
is concentrated in touristical areas or in
karstic regions affected by water shortage.
BOSPHORUS UNIVERSITY, CAVE RESEARCH CLUB (BUMAK)
is a club formed by the students of the
university. Activities are pursued on both
sportive and scientific aspects of speleology
for over 16 years. Though their study focuses
mostly on the Zonguldak - Kastamonu region. They
are also exploring and surveying caves in other
regions of Turkey. Until now, over 80 unknown
caves are explored.
ALTINBESIK CAVE
The cave is located near Ürünlü Village, 7 km
from Ibradi Village in Akseki - Antalya. From
Antalya to Ibradi you can go through highway.
The way between Ibradi and Ürünlü is stabilized.
You can also arrive to cave by a 5 km. away from
village to Manavgat River. The water which comes
from Büyükdüden, Oruçdüdeni and Feyzullah Düdeni
is discharged to Manavgat River by Altinbesik
Cave. The examined part of cave is 2200 m. The
cave begins with a lake from the entrance. The
lake's length is 125 m. The depth of cave
reaches 15 m. in some parts. In the mid part of
lake there is a natural bridge. First lake ends
at the nearly vertical travertine barrier which
has 44 m. height. There are also 2 lakes on the
travertine. After the travertene the cave goes
with 3 branches and the active branch was
examined up to a hole of 8 m. height. The cave
was covered with travertene and fissures
completely, except the fossil branch. Main
conduit is supposed be at the end of first lake.
KOCADÜDEN CAVE The sinkhole is located at
the southwest margin of Akseki Polje. It could
be reached by the Pathway from the fourth km. of
Akseki - Bucakkisla main road. The sinkhole has
many lakes and it ends with a siphon. Total
depth of the cave is -155 m.
DÜDENCIK SINKHOLE
It is at the near vicinity of Cevizli town which
is located on Beysehir - Akseki road. It was the
deepest cave of Turkey until 1989 (-300m). Water
spring seasons
KOCAIN CAVE
It is possible to reach Kocain Cave by Karatas -
Camiliköy - Ahirtas Village road which is
branched from Burdur-Antalya highway at least 20
km away from Antalya city. The cave is on the 45
km. north of Antalya at Indag Mountain. It is a
huge chamber (600 m in length. 50-60 m in
height). The entrance diameter of the cave is
35x70 m. Kocain Cave has also prehistorical
traces from Roman times.
BIYIKLI SINKHOLE
Biyikli is one of the biggest sinkhole in
Turkey. It is to the Biyikli Village at 30km
north of Antalya city. The water which sinks in
Biyikli, emerges the from Kirkgöz springs
located at 2.5km northwest of sinkhole. The
water sink in the siphon is remerges from Varsak
doline which is located 15km southeast.
TILKILER SINKHOLE
The cave is located at the neighborhood of
Oymapinar Dam on Manavgat river. It is found by
coincidence in the gallery excavations. The cave
is active and has a total length of 7 km. It is
the largest known cave in Turkey which is formed
in conglomerate.
MOLLA DELIGI CAVE
Molla Deligi cave is located at the eastern Side
of Tahtali Mountain (West of Kemer Town). Cave
includes several horizontal passages. There is a
siphon at the end of main passage. The other
passages are narrow.Total length of the cave is
549 m. It is an active cave in wet seasons due
to water level fluctuations.
AYVAINI CAVE
Ayvaini is located at the vicinity of Ayva
Village (Bursa). It is an active river cave. It
is possible to enter the cave from Doganalan
entrance with -17km descend and exit from
another point which is at 1 km southwest. of
Ayva Village. The cave includes many lakes, in
spite of increasing water it can be passed even
at spring time.
PINARGÖZÜ CAVE
It is situated at the 11km. west of the
Yenisarbademli town of Isparta. It can be
reached through Yenisarbademli or Egirdir -
Yenice. It is now the longest cave of Turkey
with its length of 12 km. which was reached in
1991. It is one of the most important caves the
world its height exceeding +60 m. (survey is not
completed) It has active passages and cascades.
Water temperature is extremely low (+4 -5 C).
INCESU CAVE
Incesu cave system is situated at 7 km. south of
Taskale town 45 km. far from Karaman province in
southeast direction. The site is arrivable by
all means of transportation facilities. The
system is formed by two continuous separate
caves. The horizontally extending caves are
richfull with stalactive and stalagmite
formations. One can follow an underground river
in wet seasons from Incesu cave (1356 m.) to
Asarini cave (750 m.) despite it has been closed
by collapsed blocks.
HISLAYIK CAVE
Hislayik Cave is in Ayranci town of Karaman
city. It is descended to an underground river
with a 26m pit. The cave is separated to the two
side to left and right. Each passage is starting
with the siphon and continues with siphons. The
exploration of this cave continues. Total length
of the cave is 260m till the 1990.
SARPUNALINCA CAVE
The cave is situated in Sarpunalinca quarter of
Senlik Village of Devrekani near Küre District
of Kastamonu Province. It is reached through
Küre - Sarpunalinca forest road. The cave drain
water accumulated in Sarpunalinca district. The
cave is totally horizontal and has a length of
662 m. An underground stream passes through the
cave along a joint plane. It has a nice camp
site near entrance.
ILGARINI CAVE
The cave is located in Derebucak village borders
in Cide - Kastamonu. Once can reach the cave by
walking approximately 5 hours from Derebucak to
the NE direction. The total length is 860m. and
depth is -250m. The cave has two parts:
horizontal part is fossil and the vertical part
is active. Water cisterns and leftovers of
houses from Roman - Byzantium period can be
found at the entrance of cave. Also you can find
a way, which is established from 24 spiral and
covered with hand made stone, at the beginning
of vertical part. By taking this way, one can
reach a pit whose depth is 52m. and diameter is
30m. After this you can reach a siphon whose
floor is covered with travertine and very nice
formations look like chandelier. It is hard to
access to some branches because of their
elevations from main passage. In these parts
ornamentations are protected up to today. The
technical equipment is required in the vertical
part.
DUPNISA CAVE SYSTEM
The cave is located at 5-6 km SW of Sarpdere
Village of Demirköy, Kirklareli. One can arrive
at cave with jeep or tractor. The cave has 3
entrances. The total length is 3200 m. The first
1000m. from the entrance is active. The fountain
originated from the cave, is establishing Rezve
River. This river is also the border between
Turkey and Bulgaria. One of the entrance is
Dupnisa Dolin entrance. The second entrance is
dry cave. Dry cave begins with two different
entrances one of them is 363m and the other one
is 456m. The third entrance called Kiz Cave and
begins with a slope of 60 degree. The side
branches of cave is fossil and the main system
is active. In the cave there is a hole which has
dimensions 150x60m.
BALATINI CAVE
The cave is located with in the borders of
Çamlik Village and Derebucak district in
Beysehir - Konya you can arrive at cave by
stabilized way, branched from 45 km of Konya -
Beysehir - Üzümlü - Manavgat. The cave is
situated 5 km far from Çamlik and 6 km from
Derebucak. It is also 3 km northwest of Körükini
and Suluin caves. Total length of cave is 1830m.
and has two entrance from düden and fountain.
The entrance, which is closer to the way, draws
the water of little uvala and run down 2km
south, from a cracked valley border, slope of
Uzunsu river side. Balatini Cave is developed
from two different levels, are an top of the
other. The fossil branch surface of upper level
is completely covered with cave clay and ended
with the statue Room filled with the little
statues made by the visitors. The lower level is
the main gallery which contains the water. You
can go through the gallery by foot when the
level of water decreases. The three small pool,
can be, passed by transition technique or by
boat. The Statue Room and the natural rock
sculptures are worth to be seen.
KORUKINI CAVE
The cave is located 500m south-west of Çamlik
Village in Beysehir-Konya. It can be arrived by
stabilized way. The total length of cave is
1250m. and Uzunsu River is passing from inside
of Körükini Cave after leawing the cave Uzunsu
River pass from Degirmen Valley and reaches to
Degirmenini Cave. The cave is completely active
so that to pass the river, especially the parts
where is waterfalls between rock blocks, and to
use boat needs experimentation. Summer and
autumn is more adviesable to enter the cave. In
spring, it may be dangerous because of water and
siphons.
SULUIN (DEGIRMENINI) CAVE
The cave is located 500m. south-west of Çamlik
Village in Beysehir-Konya. It can be arrived by
stabilized way. After leaving the Körükini Cave,
Uzunsu River pass from Degirmen Valley, whose
length is 100m, and reaches to Degirmenini Cave.
The river, passes between huge rock blocks
occuring waterfalls while the cave goes as very
wide and high gallery and after 150m. it reaches
to Büyük Lake. It goes 150m. with lake and then
with an entrance which has a hight of 30m., the
cave reachs to earth. The depth of lake is high
and can be passed by boat easily.
SAKALTUTAN CAVE
It is near to Seydisehir Town of Konya City. The
cave could be reached through Seydisehir,
Süleymaniye Village and Mortas road. It is a
vertical cave which has 303m. total depth.
SUSUZ CAVE
The cave is at Susuz Village which is between
Seydisehir-Mortas. This active cave has two
entrance which are a narrow horizontal hole and
vertical (-60m) pit. Its length is 2000m. The
cave need boat through the all seasons.
Especially in the spring it could be dangerous
to pass without experiance in active caves. On
the camp side, it is difficult to find the
water. That's why it is adviced to bring extra
water from Susuz Village.
TINAZTEPE CAVE
One can reach to cave from
Konya-Beysehir-Seydisehir through the Mortas
Aluminium Company. The total length is 1650m.
and depth is 65m. it is located south-west slope
of Tinaztepe. The cave is developed from two
parts fossil and active. If one will go to
fossil part in spring,have to pass 5 lakes by
boat. In autumn the level of water decreases so
that the same gallery can be passed by foot.
After the last lake the cave reaches to Great
Hall with a descend of 30m. This hall is ended
with a lake. Tinaztepe Sinkhole is located
beneath the Tinaztepe Cave. The total length of
sinkhole is 1550m. and depth is -150m. The water
falls down to düden during the year. With a
vertical pits of 20m. one can enter the cave
from the side of waterfall.
PINARBASI CAVE
The Pinarbasi Cave is in Pinarbasi Village
located at south-west part of Kizilova Polje at
the south of Beysehir Lake. The cave is mostly
horizontal. A karstic spring is discharged from
the cave. There are many lakes and siphons in
the cave. There are many lakes and siphons in
the cave. On the other hand cave is very rich of
dripstone formations.
BÜYÜK DÜDEN CAVE
The cave is in Derebucak district of Konya
Province. It is at the 18th km. in the direction
of Ibradi from Derebucak after
Konya-Beysehir-Derebucak road, and it is
situated at the west side of Kembos Plain.
Kembos Plain with a width of 1km and a length of
15km drains the snow water melting in the spring
and especially the water accumulated here via
Uzunsu Creek by means of Feyzullah sinkhole,
another chasm. Water sinking from these points
is added to Manavgat Creek by passing through
Altinbesik Düdensuyu Cave. Although the cave
does not have a touristic importance, it is
important regarding the speleological aspect.
There exists numerous lakes, big halls and
siphons in this sinkhole which has a length of
714 meters.
FEYZULLAH DÜDENI (SINKHOLE)
That sinkhole is very close to Derebucak Village
of Beysehir Town. That active sinkhole drained
Gembos Polje at spring seasons.
YERKÖPRÜ CAVE
It is situated at Göksu Valley which is near the
bf??òP ÿï 4/ ayani underground water
system. It is opened to outside with many
inlets. The hall is reached through a active
gallery of 100 meters from the lower inlet or by
walking for 75 meters from the upper fossil dry
inlet. The hall begins with a travertine
offering an extraordinary beauty and functioning
as a bridge on the underground creek. The base
of the hall, which has a height of 60 meters and
a length of 70 meters, is covered with a ther
Göksu under the travertine formations of the
area is 500m. long and where the water sinks the
cave ends with a siphon. At the exit mouth of
the cave, a part of Göksu river comes out of the
cave. While it makes a marvelous natural miracle
and Göksu river than continues rest its with
deep and blue lakes.
INDERE CAVE
It is situated at Ballica village which is about
5km. away from the district of Pazar town of the
province of Tokat. The cave is located on the
side of Indere valley and starts with a fossil
opening at the height of 1180 meters. General
morphologic constitution shows large halls
created as a result of collapses and connected
to each other with passages. Especially at the
hall with bats and the hall following, the floor
of the halls are not clear because of guano
which covers the collapsed blocks. In order to
be able reach to these halls, vertical speology
technics must be used (there are 10m. and 7m.
length descents). Inside the cave which has
almost completed its development process and
especially at the large hall there are many
interesting structures such as columns with
lengths over 10 meters, travertines with like
mushroom caps, and what is more important are
the onion like structures with sizes starting
from 30cm up to 7 meters. Furthermore, a very
spread bat population could be seen. On the
other hand, the entrance of the cave is not
protected by any way and means and so necessary
action must be taken for proper protection
against any harm which could come from people
around or people visiting the place.
GOKGOL CAVE
It is situated on the road at Üzülmez district
at the 4th km. of Zonguldak way of Zonguldak-Ankara
highway. Water coming out of the cave drains
into the Üzülmez Creek. It is entered out of a
huge fossil inlet through the rock blocks. The
siphon is reached after 250 meters by walking.
Although the siphon has a length of 10 meters,
it can be passed especially in summer. After
this point, the cave continues as two branches
in the direction of water entrance along with
the extremely beautiful formations. The cave
continuing for 1200 meters and ends with a
sediment filling. (The port after this point is
not known, yet.) While the creeks and inner
lakes are passed easily by walking, sudden flood
occurs during big rains.
KIZIL ELMA CAVE
The cave which is situated in Kizil Elma quarter
of Ayiçi Village of Gelik District of Zonguldak
Province can easily be reached by cars. Water of
Aydin Creek and Büyük Ay Creek sinks at the
active inlet. The cave is entered through the
fossil inlet (30x10m.) located at the upper
part, and after 100 meters water is met. The
cave continue horizontally together with the
water. After the first 100 meters, it is
possible to go by creeping for 400 meters, a
siphon of 10 meters exists. This siphon can be
passed in the Autumn. The gallery in the cave
has great dimensions after the siphon. At the
3200th m. of the cave which continues as a
single active gallery basically, there is a
chimney with the height of 80 meters which is
enough to illuminate the lake at the base. The
cave continuing 3 kms along with the lakes ends
with the 2nd siphon. The researches related with
some branches and the last siphon in the cave
has not been concluded, yet. It has been
determined via the researches carried out by
paint experiments that the sunk water appears in
Cumayani Cave after 2 kms. Thus, the total
length of the underground system (Kizilelma-Cumayani)
reaches to 10kms. Once, it was the longest cave
system of Turkey. However, when it has been
discovered that Pinargözü Cave has a length of
12 kms in 1991, this cave has been placed in the
2nd order. Its siphons, areas of cripping, lakes
and funnel of 80 meters are the characteristics,
or perhaps the most exciting aspects of the
cave. As there is a danger of flood in the rainy
periods, the season and the weather forecast
should be taken into consideration while
entering the cave.
CUMAYANI CAVE
It is situated in Cumayani quarter at 3 kms.
distance from Çatalagzi district of Zonguldak
province. It forms the outlet of
Kizilelma-Cumayani underground water system. It
is opened to outside with many inlets. The hall
is reached through a active gallery of 100
meters from the lower inlet or by walking for 75
meters from the upper fossil dry inlet. The hall
begins with a travertine offering an
extraordinary beauty and functioning as a bridge
on the underground creek. The base of the hall,
which has a height of 60 meters and a length of
70 meters, is covered with a thick sand layer
and ends with a siphon. Upon going in the
direction of water entrance to the left of the
travertine, the siphon is reached in the
direction of Kizilelma Cave. A boat is necessary
in this gallery. As flood occurs in the rainy
periods or at the times of a sudden rain, there
exists a danger of life. Because of this, one
should be careful.
ÇAYIRKÖY CAVE
It is at 1km. distance from Çayirköy which is
3kms. north of Güdüllü Village at the 10th km.
of Zonguldak-Çaycuma road. Sofular and Egridere
streams sinks at Çayirköy Cave inlet, continues
underground for 1004 meters and drains from
Çayirköy. The inlet begins with a vertical fall
of approximately 30 meters and then reaches to
the siphon. The siphon can hardly be passed at
the times when the water level is low. After
this point, the cave continues horizontally
together with the lakes, and there exists a deep
lake at the end of it.
INAGZI CAVE
It is a cave situated in the city of Zonguldak
province at the sea coast at the 15th km of
Kilimli road. The entry to the cave with a total
length of 800m is made from the fossil inlet
facing the sea. After a hole one man can hardly
pass at the 50th meter it continues sporadically
with fossils and rich formations and
sporadically with an underground creek. There
exists a siphon at the 400th meter, and it can
be distinguished by walking in the period when
water is drawn. From here, it ends with the
siphon after 400 meters.
MENCILIS CAVE
Mencilis cave is near Bulak village of Karabük
town of Zonguldak city. It takes probably 1 hour
from village to the cave by walking. The cave
has two entrance. The first of them has water
discharge and ends with a siphon 30m beyond cave
entrance. The second entrance is on the neighbor
gorge of the camp place and that part is
inactive. Mencilis cave whose total length is
2725m has four vertical pit which are 3,5,11 and
15m. in deep. Inactive section has a main and a
secondary passage which called "Fareli Kol". To
be reached to the active passage after
descending 11m pit. The most beautiful part of
cave is in that part. The delicate travertine
formations of upstream hall and the 15m high
downstream cascade are worth to be seen.
HIZAR CAVE
Hizar cave is close to Safranbolu town of
Zonguldak city. It is a horizontal and inactive
cave. It has a big entrance and a big channel
which has three passage. There is a lake shape
siphon at the secondary passage of the first
passage. There is a water discharge from a
siphon which is at 50m down altitude from cave
entrance. It is jointed to that part with a
vertical pit.
CAVES FORESEEN TO BE EVALUATED IN TOURISM
ACTIVITIES
As a result of a research made by the Ministry
of Tourism, studies have been carried on the
caves in the Mediterranean and Aegean sea costs
and sketches have been made out. These caves
have been evaluated within the frame of
closeness to heavy tourism centres, within daily
trip distances (places which could be reached
within two hours), having interesting
morphological conditions and the conditions of
road and transportation. Within these
evaluations, the caves which carry the
required qualifications are as listed below:
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