In this article we are publishing important notes about Pamukkale Travertines where located in Denizli province. Its one of the must seen places in Turkey with the way of how travertines are formed and the beauty they are showing by natural forms. Travertines, which is visited by local and foreign tourists every year, is at the top of the health tourism of our country with hot waters that relieve aches and joints and rheumatism.
Travertines are structures that formed by geologic events such as a result of spill of the thermal hot water coming from the fault lines over the rocks. The Pamukkale travertines, which are formed entirely natural, including 17 hot water areas which are source of healing. Not only in our country but throughout the whole world, travertines are heavily influenced by tourists and visitors. The waters from the travertines also enrich the region for health tourism. Especially good for rheumatism patients who wish to find healing came as indicated by entering these waters, both are flocking to Turkey's regions around the world. Due to the fact that the waters from some sources are at the burning temperature of the human body, the health services using these spring waters keep the waters first for a long time in a large area. When it reaches a level that does not burn the human body, it transfers it to the health pool that tourists enter.
WHERE IS PAMUKKALE TRAVERTINES ?
Pamukkale Travertines is a historical and touristic area in the Büyük Menderes Basin of Aegean Region. The first formation is based on the Early Age Periods and the name at that time is Hierapolis. In that period it was seen as a separate province. Today it is located in the Province of Denizli. The structure used as the castle of Hierapolis city is located in Ecirli village of the central distrcit of Denizli.
HOW DID THE PAMUKKALE TRAVERTINES FORM ?
Travertine is actually a kind of rock. These rocks undergo chemical reactions for various reasons. As a result of these chemical reactions, a precipitation has formed on the rocks. These rocks are called travertines. The area where Pamukkale Travertines is located is a thermal region with numerous hot water sources. The temperature of the hot water sources coming out of the 17 different areas varies from 35 degrees celsius to 100 degrees celsius. These spring waters have been used since ancient times especially in the field of health. The hot waters in the region have reached the top of the travertines after they have exited from the source. The length of the channels carrying the hot waters to those hills is approximately 320 meters. At the top of the travertines there are collapsed rocks of about 6 to 70 meters and the hot spring waters coming up here are transferred to these collapses. The water from the hot water source first has a high amount of calcium hydrocarbons. However, since it has entered a reaction with oxygen in the air after it has been released, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide separate from the water and mix into the air. During this time, calcium carbonate precipitates and forms the travertines. Although this precipitate is in the form of a gel initially, it becomes harder and harder with time and is named traverten. Pamukkale is the most beautiful place in the world by the feature can be seen. Unfortunately, travertenes have been damaged recently due to inadequate protection of the area.
HISTORY OF PAMUKKALE TRAVERTINES
Pamukkale Travertines, which covers an area of approximately 2200 meters lenght and 160 meters height, has come to the form with the hardening of calcium carbonate which accumulates in the layers of pools. Due to the clearness and brightness, it can be seen with naked eyes even from a distance of 20 km. Since the remains of Hierapolis are also in the same region as the travertines, Pamukkale has a rich history. This attracts tourists from various parts of the world. There is also the "Cave of Sharon" in the area where Pamukkale Travertines are located. The characteristic of this cave, which makes it famous in the world, is the gasses that spread through the cave and have a deadly effect.
The tourists coming to the area are doing great damage to the travertines by walking over the rocks that have not finished their hardening yet. The calcium carbonate in the gel consistency is crushed and dispersed. Although various measures have been taken to prevent the potential damage of the tourists to the region, effective measures have not yet been taken sufficiently. The hot spring water sent to the top of the travertines is given within a certain program. Because, if you dispense too much water, there is an algae in the region and this causes environmental pollution. In order to protect the whiteness of the surface of the travertines, the weather conditions, heat, spreading and duration of the water flow are important factors.
