Abstract:

The Aladağ Mountains (3756 meter) in Central Taurus mountain range are very rich in karstic cave formations of various types and dimensions. One of such caves is Derebağ Cave. The mentioned cave is located in the Çağlayan (Elmabağı) Quarter of Derebağ Town, Yahyalı, Kayseri. One of the elements of the underground water system in the related area, the cave has been formed within the unit made up of Upper Permian limestone, which are one of the limestones of the Black Aladağ Mountains, and through the cracks that lie with the main lines northwest-southwest and north-south. Having a Tshape, the cave is divided into two parts, one of them being the main gallery and the other one being the ellipsoidal passage gallery that is connected to the main gallery through an elbow. The waters coming from the main gallery come out from the mouths of the cave, which are of various widths, and form Derebağ waterfall falling down from a 16 meter-escarpment. The entrance of the Derebağ Cave is 1463 meter above the sea level and 63 meter above the valley bottom. Total length of the cave is 90 meters. Hydrologically, the cave is semi-active in that it from time to time reserves water in the passage gallery, which is like a syphon, and is active in that it always reserves water in the main gallery and lower passages. The cave is spring-type in that the water from the main gallery comes out from the mouth of the cave. Although poor in dripstone shapes, the cave is interesting with its other characteristics. If this cave is opened to eco-tourism together with the fall, it will not only help the protection of the natural formation but positively affect the local people’s economy. Keywords: Aladağ Mountains, Derebağ Cave, Yahyalı, Kayseri, Türkiye.

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