Morphological Structure, Formation and Ecotourism Potential of Kağızman-Avşin- Aras Basalt Columns (Kars)

Abstract

Landforms constitute a very important element in the touristic attractiveness of a region. Especially rare geomorphological formations enrich the geographical, ecological and touristic structure of the region in which they are located. Avşin-Aras basalt columns, which are the subject of the research, are one of the rare landforms in the world and were identified and named for the first time within the scope of this study. These shapes, located within the borders of Kağızman district of Kars province of the Eastern Anatolia Region, were formed in a limited area and under special conditions during the volcanic activity in the region and the widespread flowing of the lava. However, these formations are unknown both in the literature and in the region. The aim of the study is to reveal the formation, morphology and ecological resource value of the basalt columns in the region and to introduce these special landforms to Kağızman district and literature as a tourism element. For this purpose, field studies were carried out in the research area on various dates, measurements and imaging were made on basalt columns, geomorphological mapping was produced as a result of geological and morphological analyzes of the field, and the findings were compared with national and international literature. Accordingly, as the basaltic lavas, which have the feature of spreading over large areas with their fluid structure, cooled on the slopes of the Kars Plateau, which is the roof of Turkey, in the Late Miocene period, formations generally in the form of pentagonal-hexagonal columns occurred in a limited area. During the process of the Aras River, which drains the area, digging into the Kars Plateau and creating a deep valley for itself, these columns came to the surface and formed an important morphological unit. However, the location of the basalt columns in the topography and the difficulty of transportation have caused this area to be unknown even to the local people. The formations have a very regular structure and are one of the rare examples in Turkey and the world. For this reason, it is important to introduce the Avşin-Aras basalt columns to both the scientific world and regional tourism.