Elmalı Cave

Elmalı Cave is a fossil cave formed within Jurassic-Cretaceous limestone layers, located within the boundaries of Elmalı Village in the İspir district of Erzurum, and has not yet been fully explored. It is situated approximately 1.5 km from the settlement of Maden Köprübaşı and 17 km from İspir, on the northwestern slope of Bağların Dere valley, which flows into the Çoruh River from the south, at an elevation of 210 meters above the valley floor. The entrance is at an altitude of 1510 meters above sea level.

External View of Elmalı Cave (Erzurum Governorship)

Geological and Geomorphological Structure

The cave exhibits characteristics of a fossil cave developed in a ventilation zone. Micro-element analysis of the surrounding limestone revealed a CaCO₃ content of 85–92%. The geomorphological structure in the vicinity of the cave features a mountainous landscape dominated by steep, continuous slopes resulting from erosion, within the Mescit Mountains. Significant elevations in the region include Kavak Mountain (2547 m), Kızıl Hill (1746 m), Meşeli Hill (2012 m), and Ziyaret Hill (2446 m). The slope on which the cave is located can reach inclinations of up to 80%. On the eastern slope of Kalender Hill, where Elmalı Village is located, there is an active landslide area covering approximately 1 km².

Internal View of Elmalı Cave İspir District Governorship)

Physical Characteristics of the Cave Interior

Elmalı Cave consists of two main, interconnected, and parallel galleries developed horizontally. These include a short “L”-shaped gallery approximately 40 meters in length and a longer gallery of about 400 meters, comprising seven chambers, which has been partially surveyed. A stepped structure with a depth difference of approximately 17 meters exists between the cave entrance and the farthest reached point. The cave contains a total of eight chambers. Inside the cave, shallow lakes, various stalactite and stalagmite formations (including columns), and deposits of bat guano reaching thicknesses of 1–1.5 meters are found. Ceiling height varies between 10 and 20 meters. The lakes within the cave are fed by seeping water from the ceiling, and their water levels fluctuate. Water analysis has determined that the cave water does not meet the regulatory standards for human consumption regarding color, odor, taste, turbidity, and ammonium content. No significant air movement has been detected inside the cave. At the entrance, the temperature is 18 °C and the humidity is approximately 58%. As one moves deeper into the cave, the temperature decreases (to as low as 14 °C) while the humidity increases.

Elmalı Cave Lake - 1 (İspir District Governorship)

Biological Life and Economic Potential

The only animal species identified in the cave are bats. The thick layer of guano in the galleries indicates that bats have inhabited this cave for an extended period. Elmalı Cave has high potential for bat guano, which has been noted to possess economic value due to its high mineral content and suitability as an organic fertilizer.

Elmalı Cave Lake - 2 (İspir District Governorship)