The pyramid-like tuff formations in Turkey’s Goreme National Park near the small town of Urgup almost look like the backdrop for a science fiction film. But in fact the structures, known as fairy chimneys, are completely natural: During volcanic eruptions about 20 million years ago, the entire area was buried under a metre-high layer of dust, ash and rock, which solidified over millions of years to form soft tuff. This layer was eroded again in most places by wind and weather. Only where particularly dense and hard tuff had formed did the layer remain.
Over time, hundreds of these chimneys were created, which, especially in the aptly named ‘Love Valley’, cannot be denied a certain similarity to phallic symbols, rising up to 30 metres into the air. Definitely worth a visit for geology enthusiasts. And also for balloon fans, who sometimes take to the skies in their hundreds above the national park.
National Park website: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/357
Photo: The special rock formations of Göreme National Park. Credits: Unsplash/Oleksandr Kurchev.
