Microbialite

Amidst escalating concerns about climate change, striking photographs captured at Lake Van in the Eastern Anatolian region have revealed the harsh reality of drought.

Global climate change and resulting droughts continue to affect Lake Van. The 3,712 square kilometer lake is the largest soda lake in the world and the largest lake in Türkiye.

As part of the "Van Sea Swimming Festival," organized by the Van Municipality to promote Lake Van and to boost tourism, professional swimmers have swum in Nemrut Crater Lake, Türkiye's largest crater lake.

With the waters receding in recent years, microbialite fields, described as "underwater fairy chimneys," have appeared in Lake Van in the eastern province.

In Lake Van, considered the world's largest soda lake, water withdrawal continues to increase severely due to drought caused by climate change and global warming.

New microbialites different in structure and shape compared to previous discoveries have been found on the shore of Turkey's eastern Lake Van. (AA Photo)

New microbialites different in structure and shape compared to previous discoveries have been found on the shore of Turkey's eastern Lake Van. 

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Thousands of years old microbialites have come to light in Lake Van, in eastern Turkey, after a decrease in water levels. (AA Photo)