The massive, eroded stratovolcano ErciyesDagi at the northern end of the SultansazligiBasin in central Anatolia covers an area ofabout 1300 sq km. Growth of the modernvolcano began about 0.9 million years ago,following Pliocene caldera collapse of theKocdag complex. Numerous parasitic conesand lava domes are found mostly on the northflank of the modern edifice, many along radialfissures. The youngest dated rock was from an83,000-year-old dacitic lava flow, butrhyodacitic eruptions and lava dome growthoccurred later at the Perikartin dome. One ofthe latest documented events was an edificecollapse that produced a large debris avalanche that extended to the east. An early Holocene distaltephra layer in Lebanon was attributed to Erciyes Dagi. Uncertainty remains regarding reportedhistorical eruptions of Erciyes Dagi and their possible depiction on Roman Cappadocian coins.Historical accounts possibly referring to eruptions could also be attributed to methane releases from aswamp in the Sultansazligi Basin. (Global Volcanism Program)Erciyes-DagiLocation: 38.53° N, 35.45° EElevation: 3.916 mclick on pictures to enlargeHomeMay 2009M