Unveiling Türkiye’s volcanoes as global focus turns to Santorini’s seismic activity
Snowy peaks of large and small Mount Agri, Türkiye. (Adobe Stock Photo)
Since the beginning of 2025, seismic activity in Santorini has raised concerns about a possible volcanic eruption, sparking discussions on the increased volcanic activity in Italy and Iceland.
With a total of 10 active volcanoes, Türkiye is no stranger to volcanic hazards. Although Türkiye’s volcanoes are currently dormant, their potential to reactivate in the future remains scientifically plausible. In fact, volcanic regions cover about 16% of Türkiye’s land area.
As the world continues to heat up due to climate change, glaciers are melting, wildfires are increasing, and droughts are becoming more prevalent. Adding to these environmental concerns is the possibility of volcanic eruptions.
Türkiye’s volcanic landscape: An underestimated threat
Türkiye, part of the tectonic Alpine-Himalayan orogenic belt, is home to a variety of volcanoes—both active and dormant.
Around 16% of the country’s landmass is covered by volcanic terrain, which poses a continuous risk, especially with “young” volcanoes that may awaken at any time.
Active volcanoes in Türkiye: A cause for concern?
According to Professor Kursad Asan, a leading geologist at Konya Technical University, Türkiye is home to several active and potentially dangerous volcanoes, particularly those less than 2.6 million years old. Among these, Türkiye’s volcanoes less than 12,000 years old are of particular concern.
Citing data from the Smithsonian Institution’s Global Volcanism Program, Türkiye has 10 active volcanic areas or volcanoes, which include:
- Acigol (Nevsehir)
- Mount Agri (Igdir-Agrı)
- Mount Erciyes (Kayseri)
- Golludag (Nigde)
- Mount Hasan (Aksaray)
- Karacadag (Sanliurfa-Diyarbakir)
- Karapinar (Konya)
- Kula (Manisa)
- Mount Nemrut (Bitlis)
- Mount Tendurek (Agri)
Türkiye’s volcanoes: An imminent risk?
Volcanic hazards can be divided into two categories: active and dormant volcanoes. Active volcanoes have erupted within the last 10,000 years, while dormant volcanoes, though currently inactive, still hold the potential for future eruptions.
Professor Asan stresses the importance of monitoring dormant volcanoes, as they can erupt suddenly, causing unexpected disasters.
Around 9,000 years ago, when Mount Hasan erupted, spewing lava and ash, people were living there. In fact, the people living around Mount Hasan migrated to Konya, settled there, and likely painted its image on the walls of their houses in Catalhoyuk. This is probably the first time in human history that a volcanic eruption was recorded on the walls.
In Türkiye, many of the dormant volcanoes are located in Eastern Anatolia. Notable examples include Mount Nemrut, Mount Tendurek, and Mount Agri, all of which last erupted several centuries ago, with the last known eruption of Nemrut in 1692, Tendurek in 1855, and Mount Agri in 1840.
Volcanic risk: Should we be concerned?
While these past eruptions were not necessarily catastrophic, volcanic activities in the region have been known to trigger secondary hazards, such as gas emissions and mudflows. In some cases, volcanic eruptions have been linked to devastating effects on nearby populations.
For example, the eruption of the Vesuvius volcano in 79 A.D. destroyed the ancient city of Pompeii, covering it in a blanket of ash. A similar fate could await the inhabitants living near Türkiye’s volcanoes, should they become active again. With many people living within 30-40 kilometers of Türkiye’s volcanoes, the risks posed by potential eruptions—whether in the form of lava, ash clouds, or pyroclastic flows—remain real.
Secondary hazards: Mudflows and lahar
Volcanic eruptions can also lead to secondary hazards such as lahars (volcanic mudflows), which can pose a serious threat to communities living near volcanoes. Strato-volcanoes, which are common in Türkiye, can create mudflows when volcanic debris mixes with water from rainfall, causing flash floods and potentially deadly consequences.
A tragic example of this occurred after the eruption of the Nevado de Ruiz volcano in Colombia in 1985, where lahars claimed the lives of 23,000 people.
Can volcanic eruptions be prevented?
While it is impossible to prevent volcanic eruptions, advances in geological research have made it possible to predict volcanic activity with a degree of certainty.
By monitoring seismic activity and gas emissions, scientists can provide early warnings, reducing the risks associated with eruptions.
Future of volcanic risk in Türkiye
Türkiye’s volcanoes are a pressing issue that requires constant monitoring. With a significant portion of the population living near active volcanic zones, preparedness is essential.
The presence of fertile volcanic soils has made these areas attractive for human settlement, but the risks are undeniable. It is crucial to stay vigilant and invest in the monitoring of Türkiye’s volcanoes to ensure that potential threats are mitigated in time.
Volcanic eruptions could temper global warming
Researchers from Cambridge University and the U.K. Met Office have pointed out that if climate change continues, volcanic eruptions are likely to become more intense. The study suggests that volcanic activity could increase by up to 50%, further complicating the already dire environmental outlook.
A key point highlighted in the research is the release of sulfate aerosols during volcanic eruptions. These aerosols can stay in the stratosphere for one to three years, causing the atmosphere to cool and potentially lowering global temperatures. Historical volcanic events in the last century have caused average global temperatures to drop by up to half a degree Fahrenheit over one to three years.
Thus, while climate change brings challenges like forest fires and melting glaciers, it may also lead to increased volcanic activity, making future years even more unpredictable.
