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TRgezi
Meteor Crater (Meteor Çukuru)

Nature

Meteor Crater (Meteor Çukuru)

Doğubayazıt, Ağrı

CommonMachine translated — This content was machine-translated and may differ from the original Turkish text.
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A cylindrical crater near Gürbulak, about 60 m deep and 35 m in diameter; although said to have been formed by a meteorite impact, it has also been suggested to be a karst sinkhole.

Safety warning

Close to the border zone; before visiting, check current access and security conditions with local authorities (governor's/district governor's office, gendarmerie), and do not leave marked areas. The crater is about 2 km from the Gürbulak Border Crossing; there may be a military checkpoint in the area and ID checks may be carried out, so carry your ID. The crater's edge is steep and unprotected; do not approach the edge.

Its story

The crater, about 35 km east of Doğubayazıt and very close to the Iranian border, is a cylindrical hollow about 60 meters deep and 35 meters in diameter, opened in the limestone layers beneath the basalt cover. According to local accounts, it was formed by a meteorite that fell in 1892; some sources give the date 1913. On the other hand, an academic study published in 2009 suggested that the crater is a sinkhole formed by karst dissolution, and a meteoric origin has not been definitively confirmed. The site was registered as a natural heritage site in 1988. Drawing the interest of nature lovers and researchers every year, the crater is listed in official tourism promotion among Ağrı's highlight natural sites.

Key facts

Size
About 60 m deep, 35 m in diameter
Admission
Open area
Getting there
Doğubayazıt–Gürbulak road, near the border crossing
Visit duration
20–30 minutes

Trip purpose

  • Photography

Location

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39.42070, 44.40201

Where to eat nearby

No food & drink venues listed nearby.

Map data: © OpenStreetMap contributors; Overture Maps

Reviews

No approved reviews yet. Reviews are written in the app after a visit.

Source: Web derlemesi (doğrulanmalı): https://kureansiklopedi.com/tr/detay/meteor-cukuru | https://goturkiye.com/agri | https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/meteor-cukuru-degil-obrukmus-12225628 | https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/3509111157