07.02.2025 18:32
Geologist Prof. Dr. Mehmet Şener stated that there has been no sign of a volcanic eruption recently on Hasan Mountain, located on the borders of Aksaray and Niğde, and added, "We need to be prepared for a possible eruption."
After the earthquakes in the Aegean Sea, the increasing seismic activity on Greece's Santorini Island has raised concerns about the risk of a volcanic eruption, bringing back questions about whether there are active volcanoes in Turkey, whether earthquakes trigger volcanoes, and what happens if a volcano erupts.
IS THERE A RISK OF ERUPTION AT HASAN MOUNTAIN? Prof. Dr. Mehmet Şener, who conducts significant research in geology at MTA and Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University, made a statement regarding whether there is a risk of eruption at Hasan Mountain, which is 3,268 meters high and located on the border of Aksaray and Niğde. Prof. Dr. Şener stated that there is currently no risk of eruption at Hasan Mountain. He mentioned that based on the wall paintings at Çatalhöyük, the last eruption at Hasan Mountain occurred in 6600 BC, and he also explained what precautions should be taken against the potential volcanic eruption risk.
"HASAN MOUNTAIN IS AN ACTIVE VOLCANO" Şener stated, "In 2020 and 2023, earthquakes measuring 5.3 and 5.1 occurred near the foothills of Hasan Mountain, and this issue was also raised at that time. Gas emissions in areas close to the crater of Hasan Mountain are normal occurrences in active volcanoes. When we say active volcano, we refer to volcanoes that have been active in the last ten thousand years, and one of them is Hasan Mountain. We also determine the age of Hasan Mountain based on the wall paintings at Çatalhöyük. Those wall paintings depict an eruption that occurred in 6600 BC. If we add 2000 years to that, we have wall paintings that were created 8600 years ago. Therefore, we call this an active fault. Although gas emissions from such a fault near the crater are rare, they are normal, and the presence of geothermal potential, hot water sources, and observed carbon dioxide emissions around Hasan Mountain, as well as the production of this carbon dioxide for industrial use, indicate that Hasan Mountain is active," he said.
"WE NEED TO BE PREPARED FOR A POSSIBLE ERUPTION" Prof. Dr. Mehmet Şener noted that it is not possible for Hasan Mountain to be affected by a series of geological events that would develop in relation to Santorini, stating that the activity in the region is being monitored 24/7 with the established station. He emphasized the need to be prepared as if an eruption might occur, saying, "According to my research, there is currently no risk of eruption at Hasan Mountain. Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University, Aksaray University, and TÜBİTAK are conducting a joint project, and there are observation stations at Hasan Mountain. Records are being examined second by second, 24 hours a day, and there is no activity. For such activity to occur, earthquake swarms need to develop around Hasan Mountain. In the event of any occurrence, warning systems will automatically activate. The important thing here is not the eruption itself, but knowing what to do after it erupts. Our friends at Niğde AFAD have already planned their strategies. When the wind blows from Aksaray to Niğde under the meteorological conditions at that time, it will affect Altunhisar. We need to ask whether there are 2000 gas masks in the 2000-population district and plan what to do if Hasan Mountain erupts. For this, we need to educate the local population starting from elementary school. Planning for emergency gathering places is necessary," he said.
"THERE ARE 14 ACTIVE VOLCANOES IN TURKEY" Şener stated that there are 14 volcanoes classified as active in Turkey, drawing attention to the increasing misinformation that causes anxiety among people, saying, "There is a lot of misinformation that can disturb our citizens regarding the eruptions of active volcanoes in Turkey, which can mislead the public. I advise our citizens to carefully examine this misinformation and listen to the statements made by scientists on the subject. There is a report prepared by AFAD and the General Directorate of MTA regarding Santorini, which is well-prepared in a way that the public can understand and contains very good explanations. I recommend that our citizens read that report and not pay attention to anything outside of it," he concluded.