Results and significance of the geological heritage workshop held on March 14, 2024

To contribute these areas to the global literature, the UNESCO Turkish National Commission (UTMK), the General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration (MTA), the General Directorate for the Protection of Natural Assets (TVK), the Chamber of Geological Engineers (JMO), and the Geological Heritage Protection Association (JEMİRKO) have conducted various studies. In light of these studies, a workshop was held on March 14, 2024, to determine Türkiye’s 100 Most Important Geological Heritage Sites and Key Geological Areas for National and International Visibility. In the list of the first 100 Geological Heritage Sites defined by the International Union of Geological Sciences in its 60th year (2022), two of our natural beauties were included: the Miocene-aged Cappadocia Ignimbrite Levels and the travertines of Pamukkale. As a result of the workshop, two geological beauties that were not previously included in the list (Nemrut Caldera, Bitlis, and Salda Lake, Burdur) came to the forefront, while Salda Lake in Burdur was inclued in the second 100 Geological Heritage Sites designated by the International Union of Geological Sciences. This publication has been prepared to raise awareness following the completion of the voting and scientific studies in these areas for future applications.