Lake Van glaciers melting
Professor Ali Fuat Dogu, the head of Yuzuncu Yıl University's department of geography, has warned that the glaciers feeding water to Lake Van, a closed lake situated in Eastern Turkey, are rapidly disappearing.
Speaking to the Anatolia news agency, Professor Dogu said because the highest altitudes in Turkey are found in eastern Anatolia, most of the glaciers in the region are situated in close proximity to one another. Dogu said that apart from the area's leading glacial mountains, Cilo and Sat, and Mt. Ararat, they had also found glacial masses around the districts of Gevas and Bahcesaray in Van. "These glaciers are the main water sources for the region and the rivers feeding Lake Van, and they now display a considerable amount of melting," Dogu said, adding: "Our observations differ from previous reports on these areas from 30-40 years ago. These glaciers cannot survive another three years. We can clearly say that these glaciers are disappearing quickly."
Professor Dogu said once the glaciers are gone, Lake Van will be fed only by seasonal precipitation. "These glaciers used to balance the resources of Lake Van with the water they stored during arid periods. The water imbalance is likely to lead to a decrease in the water level of the lake, which will cause a change in the biological balance," he added. Professor Dogu also warned that every drop of water should be used carefully and that measures should be taken to prevent water shortages, Today's Zaman reports.
Lake Van is a saline and soda lake, receiving water from numerous small streams that descend from the surrounding mountains. Lake Van is one of the world's largest endorheic lakes (having no outlet). The original outlet from the basin was blocked by an ancient volcanic eruption.
Speaking to the Anatolia news agency, Professor Dogu said because the highest altitudes in Turkey are found in eastern Anatolia, most of the glaciers in the region are situated in close proximity to one another. Dogu said that apart from the area's leading glacial mountains, Cilo and Sat, and Mt. Ararat, they had also found glacial masses around the districts of Gevas and Bahcesaray in Van. "These glaciers are the main water sources for the region and the rivers feeding Lake Van, and they now display a considerable amount of melting," Dogu said, adding: "Our observations differ from previous reports on these areas from 30-40 years ago. These glaciers cannot survive another three years. We can clearly say that these glaciers are disappearing quickly."
Professor Dogu said once the glaciers are gone, Lake Van will be fed only by seasonal precipitation. "These glaciers used to balance the resources of Lake Van with the water they stored during arid periods. The water imbalance is likely to lead to a decrease in the water level of the lake, which will cause a change in the biological balance," he added. Professor Dogu also warned that every drop of water should be used carefully and that measures should be taken to prevent water shortages, Today's Zaman reports.
Lake Van is a saline and soda lake, receiving water from numerous small streams that descend from the surrounding mountains. Lake Van is one of the world's largest endorheic lakes (having no outlet). The original outlet from the basin was blocked by an ancient volcanic eruption.
