20/50.- Goreme panorama at Esentepe

The magnificent landscape around Göreme has been formed from its solidified lava streams, its ash and tuff stone, all dating from Neocene period. It is criss-crossed by deep valleys formed by heavy erosion. This veritable lunar landscape distinguishes itself by its extensive geological formations. The highly typical morphological structures of Cappadocia are the result of thousands of years of continual erosion, which has shaped the tuff deposits into the strangest pyramids and cones. The process was assisted by the different strata of volcanic ash, which through the course of ages were compressed to form firm tuff rocks. In the valley around Göreme one can see how individual rocks have gradually separated from the cliffs. The fairy chimneys also have a great color variety. There are light and dark colors from white to yellow, pink, grey and black.

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