The crater lake of Meke lies at 981m (3219ft) above sea level and at the opening of a volcano, millions of years old. The top of the volcano was blown off by a strong eruption, and the cinder cone in the middle (Mekedagi) was formed in a smaller eruption later on.
The earliest known representation of a volcanic eruption in this area was found on a painting in a shrine around 50km (30mi) away from the location, and is estimated to date about 6000BC.
The lake is also said to be the “Nazar Boncugu” of the world - the glass bead seen a lot all over Turkey, and said to avert the evil eye.
The cinder cone in the middle of the lake is about 300m (1000ft) high, and the green and blue saltwater lake is a heaven for many species of migratory birds.
The whole Karapinar volcanic field was formed by intense volcanic activity,and among this there are several other craters, cones and also lava fields. Just a short trip north from Meke there is the Aci crater lake which glows and sparkles at night because of special volcanic geology features.
