Buban Fairy Chimneys

Buban Fairy Chimneys are located within the boundaries of Oğuldere (Buban) village, in the Sancak township of Bingöl Province, in Eastern Anatolia Region of Türkiye. These natural formations are prominently observed along the southern slopes of the Kilisedere and Suludere valleys, approximately 30–50 kilometers from the city center.

^{Buban Fairy Chimneys} (Türkiye Culture Portal)

The Buban Fairy Chimneys have developed primarily on volcanic rocks of the Upper Miocene Solhan Formation and the Kohkaletepe Lavas. Lithologically, the area is dominated by pyroclastic rocks such as tuff, ignimbrite, agglomerate, volcanic breccia, basalt, andesite, trachyte, pumice, and ash. The dominant rock type identified in the field is defined as “litic tuff.” The low resistance of these rocks to weathering has facilitated the formation of the fairy chimneys.

Geomorphologically, the area is characterized as a plateau with elevations ranging between 1600 and 2000 meters. Slope gradients vary from 0° to 55°. Fairy chimneys are predominantly found on southern-facing slopes with moderate inclinations of 10–25%. Formation is limited on slopes with very low or very high gradients. Concentrations of fairy chimneys are clearly observed along the slopes of the Kilisedere and Suludere valleys.

Oğuldere and its surroundings are under the influence of a continental climate. The annual average temperature is 12.3 °C and the average annual precipitation is 935.1 mm. Precipitation occurs mainly during winter and spring months. The landscape is covered by steppe vegetation and oak forests, with forests concentrated predominantly on northern-facing slopes. On southern slopes, where vegetation cover is sparse, erosion is more intense, resulting in more widespread fairy chimney formation.

According to Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data, average NDVI values in areas where fairy chimneys occur are low (0.12–0.16), indicating sparse vegetation cover and the significant role of surface runoff in erosion processes.

In the study area, fairy chimneys were examined across nine distinct environments. Their dimensions range from 30 cm to 6 m, and some exhibit internal cavities. Their formation is directly related to slope, aspect, elevation, and vegetation cover. Particularly well-developed fairy chimneys are found on southern-facing slopes along the northern slopes of the Suludere Valley.

The formation of the Buban Fairy Chimneys has been shaped over time by the prolonged action of external forces including intense downpours, surface runoff, physical disintegration, chemical weathering, and wind erosion acting upon pyroclastic materials. Water flowing down the volcanic plateaus has gradually eroded the softer rock layers, resulting in the present-day fairy chimney morphology.

Based on field observations and literature reviews, the Buban Fairy Chimneys are at risk due to human activities. Livestock grazing, firewood collection, and deforestation are causing degradation of the landforms. Therefore, it is recommended that the area be placed under formal protection to preserve its geological and geomorphological heritage.

The Buban Fairy Chimneys are natural landforms located in Oğuldere village, north of Bingöl Province, developed predominantly on lithic tuffs and exhibiting distinct geomorphological and lithological characteristics. Factors such as slope, aspect, elevation, and vegetation cover have determined their spatial distribution. Medium-sloped, south-facing slopes with sparse vegetation cover represent the most favorable conditions for fairy chimney formation.