| Description |  |
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The site is noted for its travertine terraces, with 20m high cliffs and waterfalls, situated along on the foothills of the Cokelez mountains. The highest terrace is about 200m above the Curuksu plain and extends some 6km between the villages of Pamukkale and Karahayit. Thermal springs and travertine pools are located near to the site of the Roman town of Hierapolis at the south - eastern tip of the terraces and occupy an area 2,500m in length and 500m in width. Semi - circular pools occur in a step - like arrangement down the upper one - third of the slope. The steps range from 1-6m in height. Fresh deposits of calcium carbonate give the pools a dazzling white coating. The travertine deposits, Quaternary in age, are thought to originate from a fault in the contact zone between the Mesozoic crystalline rocks and the layers of the Neogen series. The water temperature averages 35°C with a flow of 25 litres per second (from four springs). The springs form part of a complex hydraulic system extending 70km to the north - west to Alasehir and west along the valley of the Menderes River. These canals take thermal water to nearby villages and agricultural areas, some over the years having accumulated travertine deposits up to 10m in height. The oldest rocks in the area are crystalline marbles, quartzites and schists and are located in the northern parts of the proposed park. Most of the rocks are, however, of the Pliocene period. |
