An analysis on anthropogenic degradation of volcanic relief in the Cappadocia Volcanic Province

In this study, the anthropogenic (human-induced) degradation of the volcanic relief which is as old as the Plio-Quaternary is analysed in the Cappadocia Volcanic Province. Pyroclastic cones with lava flow, lava domes, pyroclastic cones (ash, pumice and slag), maar (eruption craters) are among the destroyed elements of the volcanic relief. In our opinion, the destruction of volcanic landforms is an anthropogenic process, which is carried on involuntarily, and an important current issue waiting to be resolved.The human-induced destruction of volcanic landforms, each of which is witness to a certain geologic time, is intensified in certain sections In the Cappadocia Volcanic Province. Among these sections there are so young volcanic reliefs between Karap？nar (Konya)-Karacada？ (1375 m), Karacada？-Hasan Da？？, Hasan Mountain (3268 m) north and Ac？g？l (Nev？ehir)-G？llüda？-Melendiz Mountains (2963 m). According to initial findings significant damage was ascertained in 42 areas including 14 lava domes, 2 maars, 22 pyroclastic cone dominant with lava flows or ash and slag, and 4 lava flows. In these topographies which are almost turned into sand quarries and gravel pits, morphology of some cones have already been degraded or they are on the brink of degradation. In this context, other surrounding volcano cones are also under threat. It is a must to preserve the volcanic landforms which are recognized as natural protected area and geological/geomorphological heritage by many developed countries, which have a scientific significance and a scientific document quality in the keeping track of natural processes, and which shed light on the volcanic development of the near geological time