Ezgi Tok – författare

This book comprehensively reviews the historical background of speleology and cave research in the contexts of archeology and natural sciences. It also offers a summary of selected topics related to the karstic terrain of Turkey. Covering 40 % of the country''s surface area, Turkey''s karstic terrain accommodates thousands of caves. However, understanding the geology, geomorphology, hydrology, biology, and ecosystem dynamics of these caves is still limited. Despite numerous explorations and extensive fieldwork, this is the first comprehensive publication on the topic since 1984. The book presents the 45 most significant caves in Turkey, selected according to several criteria, including esthetical uniqueness. It covers caves of global archeological importance, such as Karain, Yarımburgaz and Üçagızlı, and some of the world''s deepest caves, such as Peynirlikönü, Kuzgun, Morca, and Çukurpınar. The book includes a survey and a detailed description of the genesis, geology, geomorphology, and exploration history for each cave.

This book is a first in its own way. As a result of more than two years of cooperation with the General Directorate of National Parks, a cave inventory of a national park has been prepared for the first time in Turkey. The amazing canyons, caves, sinkholes, and waterfalls give the Küre Mountains National Park the reputation it deserves today and the unique vegetation and wildlife that complement them.

This national park, located in northwestern Turkey, covers an area of 370 sq km. In addition, an area of about 800 sq km around this national park has been recognized as a buffer zone. With 125 caves discovered and surveyed so far, Küre Mountains National Park is one of the national parks with the greatest number of caves and has a worldwide significance simply because of this feature. This book provides a complete inventory of these caves.