About Tenduruk Dagi
Tenduruk Dagi is a shield rising to 3,514 meters (11,529 feet) in Turkiye's Arabia-Central Asia Volcanic Regions. Its last known eruption was in 1855 CE. The volcano has produced 2 recorded eruptions.
Geography & Climate
Tenduruk Dagi is located in Turkiye, within the Central Anatolian Volcanic Province of the broader Arabia-Central Asia Volcanic Regions. Situated at 39.36° N, 43.87° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a temperate climate zone. Standing at 3,514 meters above sea level, Tenduruk Dagi towers above the alpine zone, where vegetation gives way to bare rock, snow, and ice for much of the year. The high elevation means the upper slopes experience significantly colder temperatures than surrounding lowlands. The volcanic landform is characterized as a shield, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
Tenduruk Dagi is an intraplate volcano, meaning it formed away from any plate boundary. These volcanoes are often powered by hotspots — plumes of abnormally hot mantle material rising from deep within the Earth. Hotspot volcanoes like Tenduruk Dagi tend to produce effusive eruptions with lava flows that can be relatively predictable, giving nearby communities in Turkiye more time to prepare. However, they can also produce explosive phases, particularly when magma interacts with groundwater. The dominant rock type is basalt / picro-basalt, a dark, fine-grained volcanic rock that forms from rapidly cooling, low-viscosity lava. Basaltic eruptions tend to be less explosive and produce fluid lava flows that can travel long distances. While less immediately dangerous than explosive eruptions, basaltic lava flows can destroy structures and infrastructure in their path, and volcanic gases released during these eruptions can affect air quality over a wide area.
Eruption History Summary
Tenduruk Dagi has 2 recorded eruptions in the geological database, spanning from 550 BCE to 1855 CE. These eruptions span roughly 2,405 years of volcanic history.
GVP Reference Summary
Tendürek Dagi, also known as Tendürük Dagi, is an elongated shield volcano that rises above the Dogubayazit plain, near the Iranian border south of Mount Ararat. An E-W summit ridge, developed north of an arcuate caldera structure exposed only on the southern side, contains two well-developed cones. The higher western cone is capped by a steep-walled crater with a trachytic spine at its eastern edge. The flatter eastern crater contains a warm lake. The shield volcano developed during a period when highly mobile lava flows from the western crater covered an area of 500 km2. Following summit caldera formation, numerous flank eruptions took place from N-S-trending fissures, producing viscous trachytic lava domes and flows as well as fluid basaltic pahoehoe flows that extend 10-20 km N and S. The latest activity formed two major basaltic lava flows from large cones on the NE and SE flanks. An eruption took place from a vent on the SE flank about 2500 years ago, and a gas-and-ash eruption took place in 1855.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
2 Recorded Eruptions
| Year | VEI | Type | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1855 | — | Confirmed Eruption | — |
| 550 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | Lower SE flank |
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Tenduruk Dagi
Is Tenduruk Dagi an active volcano?+
Tenduruk Dagi is classified as active based on credible evidence of past eruptions. Although its last known eruption was in 1855 CE, volcanologists consider it capable of erupting again.
When did Tenduruk Dagi last erupt?+
The most recent recorded eruption of Tenduruk Dagi occurred in 1855 CE. The eruption was classified as a "Confirmed Eruption." Tenduruk Dagi has 2 recorded eruptions in total.
How high is Tenduruk Dagi?+
Tenduruk Dagi has a summit elevation of 3,514 meters (11,529 feet) above sea level. At 3,514 meters, it is comparable in height to many significant mountain peaks and stands well above the tree line.
What type of volcano is Tenduruk Dagi?+
Tenduruk Dagi is classified as a Shield. Shield volcanoes have distinct geological characteristics that set them apart from other volcanic types.
Where is Tenduruk Dagi located?+
Tenduruk Dagi is located in Turkiye, in the Arabia-Central Asia Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Central Anatolian Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are 39.356° latitude, 43.874° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Tenduruk Dagi?+
Tenduruk Dagi can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Turkiye may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
