Mount Erciyes

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Mount Erciyes
Erciyes From Aktepe Goreme.JPG
Distant view of Mount Erciyes, as seen from Göreme to the west.
Elevation 3,916 m (12,848 ft)[1]
Prominence 2,419 m (7,936 ft)[2]
Listing Ultra
Mount Erciyes is located in Turkey
Mount Erciyes
Mount Erciyes
Location Kayseri Province, Turkey
Coordinates 38°31′56″N 35°27′02″E﻿ / ﻿38.53222°N 35.45056°E﻿ / 38.53222; 35.45056Coordinates: 38°31′56″N 35°27′02″E﻿ / ﻿38.53222°N 35.45056°E﻿ / 38.53222; 35.45056
Type Stratovolcano
Last eruption 6880 BCE ± 40 years[1]

Mount Erciyes (Turkish: Erciyes Dağı; derived from the ancient Greek name Ἀργαῖος Argaeos; Latinized as Argaeus by the ancient Romans) is a massive stratovolcano located 25 km to the south of Kayseri in Turkey.

Erciyes is the highest mountain in central Anatolia, located within the ancient region of Cappadocia, with its summit reaching 3,916 metres (12,848 ft). It is considered to be the highest peak of the Anti-Taurus mountain range, a northeastern extension of the Taurus Mountains to the south, and belongs to the Alpide belt in Eurasia.[3]



The first documented successful climb was performed by William John Hamilton in 1837. There are, however, some historic writings and symbols on the rocks at the summit, indicating earlier human presence there. There are two caves near the summit tower, of which at least one must have been expanded by humans. It is supposed that monks in historic times have visited the summit several times.

There are winter sports facilities on the mountain, usually accessed from nearby Kayseri.


See also[edit]


  1. ^ a b "Erciyes Dagi". Global Volcanism Program, Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved 2010-03-23.
  2. ^
  3. ^ "Taurus Mountains". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 2010-04-28. 
  4. ^ "Record 60952". Retrieved 2010-04-13. 
  5. ^ Strabo, Geographica 12.2.7.

External links[edit]