ABOUT MOUNT NEMRUT
| MOUNT NEMRUT QUICK FACT BOX |
| Elevation |
13,314 ft, 4,058 m |
| Location |
Tatvan, Bitlis |
| Coordinates |
38.65°N 42.23°E |
| Type |
Stratovolcano |
| Last Eruption |
8050 BC |
| Convenient Center(s) |
Tatvan, Turkey |
| Nearest Major Airport |
Van, Turkey |
In fact, Turkey can boast of two peaks called Nemrut. The one near Adiyaman in the southeast is primarily of historical and archaeological interest, home for over 2000 years to the colossal stone heads of King Antiochus I and classical deities. The other mount Nemrut is in eastern Anatolia, the more interesting of the two peaks and well known for it's geological formation and for it's mountaineering purposes.
GEOGRAPHY
Mount Nemrut, whose round caldera is easily identified near the center of this orthorectified image, is a dormant volcano in Eastern Turkey. It is near Tatvan, a small town in the eastern Anatolian province of Bitlis. The mountain rises from the southwestern shore of Lake Van (upper right), and enters the district of Ahlat to the north.
Mount Nemrut is the southernmost and youngest of the chain of volcanoes in eastern Anatolia. It is a stratovolcano that began erupting during the fourth geological era and continued to be active until 1597 A.D. As a result of the volcanic eruptions of Mt. Nemrut, the single Van - Mus river basin was divided into two separate basins. The explosion of Nemrut volcano also led to the formation of Lake Van, the largest lake in Turkey.
Treks up Mt. Nemrut begin on the mountain's southeastern flank at Tatvan. The south or southeastern side of the crater can be reached after an easy hike for 4-5 hours. Those who reach this point have the rare chance to see the wondrous caldera of this inactive volcano. For those who find the climb to the crater too strenuous, four-wheel drive vehicles can reach the summit from either Ahlat or Tatvan.
The volcano is 3,050 m (10,007 ft) high and its elliptic caldera has a diameter of about 7 km by 8 km (4 mi by 5 mi). Mount Nemrut has a number of lakes inside its caldera. The western part of its caldera contains a large coldwater crater lake about 155 m (509 ft) deep. There is also a small warm lake whose temperature reaches 60 °C (140 °F), providing evidence of continuing volcanic activity.
SEASON TO CLIMB
Mt. Nemrut is bare of vegetation, except in the south which has oak groves and birch trees. Summer (June - September) is the best season for expeditions in Mt. Nemrut and hikers who climb to the crater and summit from the southeast or eastern face of the mountain are rewarded with wonderful views of Lake Van.
