2. Pamukkale (Hierapolis) translates to Cotton Castle.
The great attraction is the white immensity of the cliff with
sculptured basins full of water and congealed waterfalls; they
seem done of snow, cloud, cotton.
3. On approaching
Pamukkale, the first thing
you will see is a rock
platform over 100 m
in height rising up
from the plain.
The slopes of this hill,
which look from a
distance
like a great white speck,
are covered with
large numbers of pools
and terraces.
As you come nearer,
you will begin to see
this natural phenomenon,
which resembles a frozen
waterfall,
in greater detail.
4. The scientific explanation is the hot thermal
places that lie under the mount provoke
the calcium carbonate spill, that makes
the forms as solid as Travertino marble.
5. The temperature of the water forming the travertines,
which issues from the hot springs on the hills above,
falls to around 33°C lower down.
6. Although the water flowing from the hot springs on the
southern slopes of Çaldað rapidly loses heat during its flow
through the open channels, it is still hot enough to make it
possible for one to bathe (throughout six months of the year)
in the open-air swimming pools and on the terraces.
7.
8. On emerging to the surface, the solution of calcium-
carbonate in the spring water decomposes into
carbon dioxide, calcium carbonate and water.
The carbon dioxide is released into the air while the
calcium carbonate separates off from the water
to form a grayish-white limestone sediment.
9. The beds of the water-courses are filled up with these
limestone deposits and the water, confronted with these
obstacles, splits up into several branches.
10. The water flows over the slopes into pools, the small basins
surrounding them and finally into the fields below.
It is in this way that these terraces over 100 m in height
composed of layers of the accumulated limestone sediment
have been gradually formed in the course of the ages.
11. As the limestone sediment reaches a certain level the water
accumulates in pools and, as these pools fill up,
overflows into smaller pools in the vicinity and from these
flows into the small hollows and depressions around them.
12. The limestone layers in the pools rise up in steps,
one above the other, and the continual flow of water
keeps this process in operation.
The stalactites form one of the most important
features in the landscape.
13. With the formation of the layers and the emergence of steps
and terraces one above the other, the water leaves
the limestone deposit behind it and drips down
in the form of stalactites, as in the Damlataþ caverns.
14. The calcium oxide in the water adds to the thickness of
the white layers and widens the terraces,
producing pools in fantastic shapes reminiscent of
oyster shells or flower petals, while the small amount of
sulphur and iron oxide produces stripes of yellow,
red and green over the white of the limestone.
15. As much the cascades of calcium carbonate
as the water change color in accordance
with changes of the solar light that
illuminates them, and the effect is surprising.
16.
17.
18. At times white, others blue,
or green or other colors.
The spectacle is flaring.
19. The continuous dynamics of the erosion and
the transformation of the natural landscape
result in an unusual environment.
