30.10.2026 09:32
Satellite images have revealed that Lake Van has shrunk by approximately 31 square kilometers over the past 35 years. According to the scientific research, 87 percent of the loss in surface area occurred in the last 10 years. Experts emphasized that comprehensive studies should be conducted to determine the causes of the shrinkage in the lake and that water resources should be monitored regularly.
The shoreline and water surface area changes of Lake Van over the last 35 years were examined using satellite images. In the study, it was determined that the lake has shrunk by approximately 31 square kilometers since 1990, and that 87 percent of this loss occurred in the last 10 years.
Within the scope of the project "Underwater Technologies and Career Route for 14-18-Year-Old Youth Hidden in My Future Lake Van," prepared by the Anatolian Underwater Research and Sports Association (ASAD) and supported by the General Directorate of Relations with Civil Society of the Ministry of Interior, the 35-year shoreline and water surface area changes of Lake Van were investigated.
In the study carried out by ASAD member Cartographer Prof. Dr. Murat Yakar, satellite images from 1990, 2015, and 2025 were compared, and the lake's surface areas in different periods were calculated. The analyses revealed that the shrinkage in Lake Van gained speed especially in the last 10 years.
35-YEAR CHANGE EXAMINED WITH SATELLITE IMAGES
Prof. Dr. Murat Yakar stated that they carried out remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS)-based analyses to determine the change in Lake Van's shoreline.
In the study, images obtained from Landsat 4-5 and Landsat 8-9 satellite systems were used. While calculating the Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI), commonly used to determine water surfaces, water and land areas were separated using the threshold value method.
The obtained data were processed in a GIS environment, and the lake's surface areas in different years were determined.
LOSS OF 4 SQUARE KILOMETERS IN 25 YEARS, 27 SQUARE KILOMETERS IN THE LAST 10 YEARS
According to the analysis results, Lake Van's surface area was calculated as approximately 3,577 square kilometers in 1990. This area declined to 3,573 square kilometers in 2015 and to 3,546 square kilometers in 2025.
Accordingly, while an approximately 4 square kilometer decrease occurred during the 25-year period between 1990 and 2015, a loss of 27 square kilometers was identified in the 10-year period between 2015 and 2025.
It was noteworthy that approximately 87 percent of the total 31 square kilometer surface area loss calculated over the 35-year period examined occurred in the last 10 years.
CHANGE IN THE SHORELINE MAPPED
Within the scope of the study, the shorelines for 1990, 2015, and 2025 were shown on a comparative map. Thus, coastal changes in different parts of Lake Van became spatially analyzable.
Stating that long-term changes in lakes can be monitored by using satellite images and GIS technologies together, Prof. Dr. Murat Yakar said that such studies provide important data for detecting changes in water resources and for future research.
"MOST OF THE DECREASE OCCURRED IN THE LAST 10 YEARS"
In his statement about the research, Prof. Dr. Murat Yakar said, "Using satellite images, Lake Van's shorelines and water surface areas in 1990, 2015, and 2025 were compared. The analysis results revealed that the lake's surface area decreased by approximately 31 square kilometers over the last 35 years, and that most of this decrease occurred in the last 10 years."
Stating that the remote sensing and GIS-based analyses carried out to determine the shoreline change of Lake Van over the last 35 years showed that a remarkable decrease occurred in the lake's water surface area, especially in the last 10 years, Yakar said the following:
"In the study, using Landsat satellite images from 1990, 2015, and 2025, the shorelines of Lake Van in different periods were determined. On the images obtained from Landsat 4-5 and Landsat 8-9 satellite systems, the Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI), commonly used to determine water surfaces, was calculated. Then, using the threshold value method, water and land areas were separated from each other. The determined water areas were converted into polygon data in a GIS environment, and the lake's surface areas in different years were calculated. "
"87 PERCENT OF THE TOTAL LOSS OCCURRED IN THE LAST 10 YEARS"
Evaluating the analysis results, Prof. Dr. Murat Yakar said, "While Lake Van's water surface area was determined as approximately 3,577 square kilometers in 1990, this value declined to 3,573 square kilometers in 2015 and to 3,546 square kilometers in 2025."
Yakar continued his statement as follows:
"While an approximately 4 square kilometer decrease was identified in the lake's surface area during the 25-year period between 1990 and 2015, it was noteworthy that this decrease reached 27 square kilometers in the 10-year period between 2015 and 2025. Thus, it was determined that approximately 87 percent of the total 31 square kilometer surface area loss calculated over the 35-year period examined occurred in the last 10-year period. These findings indicate that the decrease in Lake Van's water surface area has become especially evident in the recent period. "
"REGULAR MONITORING OF WATER RESOURCES IS IMPORTANT"
Stating that in the comparative map prepared within the scope of the study, the shorelines for 1990, 2015, and 2025 were shown on the same geographical base, Yakar spoke as follows:
"Thus, coastal changes in different parts of the lake were made spatially analyzable. Using satellite images and GIS technologies together makes it possible to monitor the long-term changes of lakes with large water surfaces. In particular, comparing satellite data from different years is important for determining changes in water resources and for forming a basis for detailed future research. "
"COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSES ARE NEEDED FOR THE CAUSES OF THE DECREASE"
Stating that changes in the lake surface area can be affected by many factors such as precipitation, evaporation, temperature, and hydrological conditions, Prof. Dr. Murat Yakar said that comprehensive analyses supported by long-term climate data, lake water level measurements, and other hydrological data are needed to reveal the causes of these changes.
Yakar said, "The results obtained from satellite images from three different years show that there has been a significant decrease in Lake Van's water surface area, especially in the 2015-2025 period, while drawing attention to the importance of regular and scientific monitoring studies for the sustainable management of water resources in the region."
"LAKE VAN SHOULD BE MONITORED WITH SCIENTIFIC DATA"
ASAD Bitlis Representative Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cihan Önen stated that, within the scope of the "My Future Is Hidden in Lake Van" project carried out with the support of the General Directorate of Civil Society Relations of the Ministry of Interior, they had the surface area of Lake Van measured.
Emphasizing that changes in the lake's surface area and coastline should be regularly monitored with scientific data, Önen stated that the protection of Lake Van is an important responsibility in terms of transferring the shared natural heritage to future generations.
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