Nemrut Dagi

At the western end of Lake Van, between Ahlat and Tatvan, towers the 2,935m/9,632ft volcanic cone of Nemrut Dagi. The huge summit caldera (diameter 7.5-8.5km/4.5-5.25mi; mean altitude 2,300m/7,550ft) is partially occupied by a freshwater lake (Nemrut Gölü) up to 150m/490ft deep in places. There is still some volcanic activity at the eastern end of the caldera; as well as several minor lakes, some of which are temporary in nature, fresh tuff and cinder cones and young lava flows with miniature craters are very much in evidence.

To the north, situated east of the main lake, is a smaller lake (Ili Göl), 500m/550yds in diameter and 7-8m/23-26ft deep, where there are hot springs with temperatures up to 80°C/176°F. Southeast of it and a little higher up are some sulfur vents (fumaroles, solfataras). The sides of the caldera rise wall-like in places to heights of more than 2,800m/9,190ft. In earlier days Nemrut Dagi was apparently well wooded though today it is virtually denuded of trees.