Pamukkale, Denizli Province, Turkey

Pamukkale is a geological site in the Denizli Province in southwest Turkey that is famous for its hot water springs and cascade of travertine terraces. The surreal, crystal-white structures of the site are formed by the rapid precipitation of calcium carbonate minerals from the supersaturated waters of the geothermal springs. As these mineral-rich waters reach the surface, dissolved carbon dioxide (CO2) degasses, increasing the pH of the water and eventually resulting in the formation of spectacular travertine deposits. In Turkish, the name Pamukkale means “Cotton Palace”.

Click here to view the whereabouts of Pamukkale and other amazing locations on our Explorer’s World Map!


Information source: UNESCO World Heritage Convention.

Image: Pools and travertine terraces of Pamukkale in Turkey. Credit: Antoine Taveneaux, Wikimedia Commons.