The massive, eroded stratovolcano Erciyes  Dagi at the northern end of the Sultansazligi  Basin in central Anatolia covers an area of  about 1300 sq km. Growth of the modern  volcano began about 0.9 million years ago,  following Pliocene caldera collapse of the  Kocdag complex. Numerous parasitic cones  and lava domes are found mostly on the north  flank of the modern edifice, many along radial  fissures. The youngest dated rock was from an  83,000-year-old dacitic lava flow, but  rhyodacitic eruptions and lava dome growth  occurred later at the Perikartin dome. One of  the latest documented events was an edifice  collapse that produced a large debris avalanche that extended to the east. An early Holocene distal  tephra layer in Lebanon was attributed to Erciyes Dagi. Uncertainty remains regarding reported  historical eruptions of Erciyes Dagi and their possible depiction on Roman Cappadocian coins.  Historical accounts possibly referring to eruptions could also be attributed to methane releases from a  swamp in the Sultansazligi Basin. (Global Volcanism Program)  Erciyes-Dagi Location: 38.53° N, 35.45° E Elevation: 3.916 m   click on pictures to enlarge Home May 2009M