Morphological Characteristics and Geoheritage Value of the Dereiçi Travertine Terraces (Van, Türkiye)

Travertine terraces are rare geomorphological formations shaped by the interplay of geochemical processes, tectonic activity, and hydrothermal dynamics. Their striking appearance makes them prominent geosites of global interest. While numerous studies have addressed various aspects of travertine terraces, there has been a lack of research involving detailed mapping and morphological analysis. This study provides a comprehensive assessment of the morphometric properties and geoheritage significance of the Dereiçi travertine terraces located in the Başkale district of Van Province, eastern Türkiye. High-resolution Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) imagery, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), cluster analysis, and the geoheritage assessment method were employed for this purpose. During fieldwork conducted in July 2022, 254 UAV images were captured, from which a Digital Surface Model (DSM), Digital Terrain Model (DTM), and orthophotos were generated. Based on these products, a total of 939 travertine terraces were identified and digitised. For each terrace, detailed morphometric parameters—including elevation, area, perimeter, width, length, circularity, and elongation ratio—were calculated. The analysis revealed that the terraces are predominantly located on steep slopes, with terrace size decreasing markedly as slope increases, and vertical deposition becoming dominant on cliff faces. Cluster analysis categorised the terraces into three primary morphological groups. Geoheritage assessment results indicated that the site’s highest value lies in its scientific significance, followed by its vulnerability to degradation, educational value, and tourism potential. These findings highlight the Dereiçi travertine terraces as an important geosite, both due to their ongoing depositional dynamics and their rare morphological diversity. As one of the first studies to combine detailed morphometric analysis with a holistic geoheritage evaluation of travertine terraces, this research contributes valuable insights to the existing literature.