The Astounding, "Must See" Sights of Pamukkale

Pamukkale is situated within the territory of Denizli province, and is one of the most important destinations in Turkey. Situated on the south-western corner of the Anatolian Peninsula, Denizli provides passage between central Anatolia and the coastal areas of the Aegean and Mediterranean regions. Pamukkale and the ancient city of Hierrapolis are situated 20 kilometers from the city centre. Part of the inner Aegean Region, Denizli's climate differs from that typically found along the Aegean coast. The mountains of Denizli province run perpendicular to the coast and the valleys and plains are open to the sea breeze. Consequently, the winter are relatively warm and rainy. Pamukkale is accessible by highway, by railroad, or by air.
Seen from a distance the magnificent Travertine Terraces of Pamukkale look like the white clouds of heaven, or a sun-drenched, snow covered series of glittering ridges.
As you approach you realise that water is gently falling over the clouds of snow. Closer still, as you wade in ankle deep thermal water, you realise that this is unlike anything you have seen before and you are in for a once in a lifetime experience. Let me share the secrets I discovered while being there of Pamukkale that brings you in contact with the wondrous, magical architecture of nature.
Travertine is a sedimentary rock which is formed under specific conditions as a result of a chemical reaction. The terraces themselves are the product of this process. The geological events that have formed the thermal springs of Pamukkale have also affected a large region. There are 17 thermal springs in the region where the water temperatures vary between 35 and 100 Celsius degrees. The thermal spring of Pamukkale is one of those springs which have been in use since antiquity, and has provided therapy to humanity through the millennia. The thermal waters of the spring follow a 320 m long channel to the head of the travertine ridge and fall into travertine terraces, approximately 60 to 70 meters long, where the deposits form.
At the source, the temperature of the thermal water is 35.6 Celsius degrees, and it contains a high concentration of calcium carbonate. When it comes in contact with the oxygen in the air it forms carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide gases, which evaporate and leave deposits of calcium carbonate. Initially, the calcium carbonate deposits are like soft jelly. Over the time it hardens and forms the travertine. However, if visitors are allowed to walk in the cascading pools, that leads to squashing and the dispersing the soft jelly of calcium carbonate. At present, thermal water is released over the travertine in a controlled programme. If a large amount of water is allowed to flow on a certain area for a long time it leads to moss formation and darkening of the color of the travertine. The atmospheric conditions, temprature loss and duration of the flow affect the creation and maintenance of pure whiteness.

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