Kula-Salihli Geopark, UNESCO Global Geopark in Kula and Salihli, Turkey
Kula-Salihli Geopark is a protected area spanning volcanic landscapes with lava flows, scoria cones, and underground caves across the region. The terrain displays different phases of volcanic activity that help visitors understand the geological processes that shaped it.
The ancient geographer Strabo described this area in the 1st century, noting the black lava fields as a distinctive feature of the landscape. The volcanic activity that created these formations extends millions of years into the past and shaped the region's current appearance.
Local inhabitants maintain traditional practices connected to the geological landscape, participating in conservation efforts and educational programs about earth sciences.
Visitors can explore the area on marked trails that lead to different geological formations and offer varying levels of difficulty. An information center provides a good starting point to learn more about how the landscape formed.
Human footprints found on the site are about 12,000 years old and show how early people lived in this volcanic environment. These traces offer a rare chance to experience a direct connection to people from prehistoric times.
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