Active Volcanoes of Armenian Highland

The territory of Armenian Highland has a complex and unique structure which fuels the interest of well-known scientists and researchers to observe the historicօ-geographical and geological conditions of this area. It can be regarded as a mountainous island in Western Asia. Because of its position Armenian Highland is distinguished from the neighboring Anatolian and Iranian plateaus.

Alpine rock-forming processes

Armenian Highland was formed as a result of geological processes that underlie the formation of mountains. The sea level gradually decreased, and the rising geosynclinal grew into a mountainous country. During that time the strata got distorted and fragmented forming fold mountains. All these were accompanied by powerful volcanic eruptions.

The geological phenomena underlying the mountain formation processes continue in our country till today and the best evidence of that are Tondrak and Nemrut (Sarakn), which are active volcanoes.

P.S. If the volcano periodically erupts, releases gases or has erupted throughout the last 10,000 years then it is defined as “active”.

Misconception of Vayotssar

Mountain Vayotssar, the height of which is 2581 meters, is located in the province of Vayots Dzor, to the north-west of the village Herher. This is a cone that rises throughout the length of the ridge. The depth of the crater is about 125 meters.

According to some historical data, the last eruption of Vayotssar took place in 735 A.D and was accompanied by a destructive and devastating earthquake.

Dense darkness invaded reality and encircled the whole region throughout the next forty days. The earthquake shook the earth like the waves of the sea. Mountains were flooded, sources were deluged, and the houses turned into the graveyards of those who used to live there before this disastrous occasion. The area desperately trembled, from the chasm and air voices murmured: “Vay dzor, vay dzor.”

Historian Orbelyan claimed that this particular story stands behind the origin of the current name of this province.

However, it is worth noting, that the historical records of Yeghishe and Movses Khorentsi, written decades before that eruption, disprove the aforementioned claim.

Nonetheless, after studying the geology of Armenia, researchers vocalize that there have been no volcanic eruptions in our country for a couple of millennia and the story of Vayotssar is a misconception.

Nemrut

The height of Nemrut is 2935 meters (3050m in old sources). It is a young active volcano. Hot gases, waters, and vapor is coming out from its slopes and crater.

The summit of Nemrut is a large caldera. A caldera is a large cauldron-like hollow that forms following the evacuation of a magma reservoir. The inner walls of the caldera are steep and deepen up to 600-800 meters.

The crater of Nemrut is the largest in Armenian Highland with a diameter of 8 kilometers. After the Nemrut tour, having climbed the mountain, one can notice on the western part of the crater, at the height of 2500 meters is expanding the crater lake with a surface area of 9 square kilometers. Previously this volcano released basaltic lavas which eventually enclosed the concavity of Lake Van and resulted in the formation of the lake.  

According to the British scientist F. Oswald, the last eruption of the mountain took place in 1441. He participated in H. F. Lynch’s 1898 Armenian scientific expedition, studied the geological structure of Armenian Highland and published a geological schematic map of the latter(1907).

Tondrak

Tondrak is a large volcano the height of which is 3533 meters. Numerous hot springs are flowing from the crater of this volcano. According to Élisée Reclus (geographer), the crater of this volcano has a depth of 350 meters. He also claimed that the geologist Taylor witnessed the geyser. Although there are no geysers now, there are dozens of hot creeks and gases pouring out as a result of perpetuating terrestrial forces.  

The mountain was called Tondrak since it is similar to an Armenian tandoor (tonir). Historical records indicate that the volcano was intensively activated in the 1550s and the last volcanic eruption took place in 1855. The southern side of Tondrak is divided by the river of Berkri and its tributaries. There are several traces of ancient glaciation on the top of the mountain.

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