Turkey's Fairy Chimneys Face Erosion Without Save Plan

Cappadocia, a historical site in central Anatolia recognized by UNESCO, is one of Turkey's most visited touristic areas.

But how does Turkey protect its unique fairy chimneys? Especially when no inventory has yet to be made on how many fairy chimneys exist in the area and which ones need urgent care. Tourism Ministry statistics say only 300 fairy chimneys are under official registration.

Fairy chimneys are naturally affected by wind erosion, but hotel constructions and vibration due to roads and loud music clubs cause the biggest damage. A hydroelectric power plant on a neighboring river is allegedly affecting the fairy chimneys as well.

Locals somewhat find it "normal" that no high-tech engineering efforts are made by the officials, when they don't even take simple precautions such as regulating music club volume limits and closing down busy roads.

Common approach is that fairy chimneys will disappear one day and there is nothing locals can do about it.

Among precautions to protect Turkey's fairy chimneys in Cappadocia, there is even the sign saying "Attention, rock may fall", an obvious warning that amuses tourists.

Life risk remains

Besides from the danger that a UNESCO World Heritage site might disappear soon, there is also the risk that fairy chimneys might fall and injure people at any given time.

Last year, a rock fall was reported in a crowded touristic area, causing no casualties. In 2010, a 25 meters high fairy chimney fell onto a hotel storage area. In 2007, another rock collapse on a Harem Disco club left 3 dead.

However, prior to these incidents, Geologist Erçin Kasapoğlu from Hacettepe University in Ankara submitted a report to Urgup municipality explaining in detail how fairy chimneys should be protected. Her precautions were underestimated blaming "low budgets".

"Discos should be closed, no traffic should be allowed"

Kasapoğlu said that formation of fairy chimneys may take up to millions of years and that local authorities kept a blind eye on the issue for long.

She listed wind erosion as one of the urgent dangers to be reacted in the short term, saying that fairy chimneys should immediately protected against the first hand vibration.

"All music clubs and discos should be closed down. Traffic should be rearranged as done on Goreme National Park. Traffics even should be blocked in approximate with fairy chimneys. In the West, they only allow golf cars in these type of sites."

She explained the rock fall incident in Temenni Hill in 2007 with the grass plantation of the area to form a park. "Water seeping into fairy chimneys causes erosion. This is why we need to be so careful while building hotels around the area, too."

Geologist Kasapoğlu also warned that set of steps should be constructed around fairly chimneys to avoid falls on tourists. "There are also certain chemical sprays to preserve ancient ruins."

Officials from Ürgüp Municipality--local administrative body in charge of Cappadocia zone--said they had no current projects on implementing extra protection measures, with an exception of blocking roads on Goreme National Park with no concise plans.

"Power plants might affect fairy chimneys negatively"

Addressing concerns on the negative affect of hydroelectric plant constructions around the area, Kasapoğlu said power plants might affect fairy chimneys negatively. .

"The volcanic substance that form the fairy chimneys is fragile to wind erosion on dry climate. Humidity slows this process. But the excess of humidity causes hydration, which causes a chemical erosion through formation of clay on fairy chimneys. This might trigger crumbling of fairy chimney heads. For this reason, power plants might have an effect by increasing humidity in the climate." (NV)