Earth Science Picture of the Day for September 18, 2006
The geological formation of the Cappadocia region in the highlands of central Turkey results largely from the eruption of two ancient volcanos, some ten million years ago. Lava and rocks ejected from these volcanoes eventually produced the surface found here today -- an approximately 150 meter deep layer composed mostly of volcanic tuff and ash. Eons of erosion have sculpted the tuff into bizarre chimney or hat-like shapes. Softer, less resistant, layers have long ago succumbed to the effects of wind, frost and rain water, but the harder remnants observed today, while apparently sturdy, are constantly evolving and many of these curious pillars will disintegrate as their bases weaken.