The Meteor Crater is located approximately 35 kilometers east of Doğubayazıt, a district in Ağrı Province, Turkey, near the Iranian border. Positioned 2 kilometers northeast of the Gürbulak Customs Gate, this crater was designated as a second-degree natural protected area by the Erzurum Regional Board for the Protection of Cultural Assets in 1988. Due to its geographical location, the area holds significance for both scientific research and nature tourism.

Physical Characteristics

The Meteor Crater has a cylindrical shape, measuring approximately 60 meters in depth and 35 meters in diameter. Surrounded by basalt rocks and limestone formations, the crater exhibits a depression structure consistent with the geological characteristics of the region. While there are various theories regarding its formation, local beliefs suggest that it was created in 1892 by the impact of a large meteorite. Following this event, tremors were reportedly felt in the area, and water sources in Gülveren Village were observed to become murky.

Geological and Astronomical Assessment

The formation of meteor craters is linked to the impact effects that meteorites leave on the Earth's crust. While scientific research on the exact formation date and mechanism of the Ağrı Meteor Crater remains limited, some sources indicate that the impact event occurred in 1913. The crater is located within basalt layers covering Tertiary limestones, exhibiting typical geological deformations associated with meteorite impacts. However, detailed geological analyses confirming that the crater was definitively formed by a meteorite impact are still insufficient.

Tourism Potential and Conservation Efforts

The Meteor Crater is considered one of Ağrı’s prominent natural tourist attractions, drawing numerous visitors each year, particularly those interested in nature tourism and scientific studies. Conservation efforts led by the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization aim to prevent erosion and protect the crater from filling with soil. Additionally, Ağrı Governorate’s Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism has prepared conservation and environmental planning projects to enhance the crater as a tourist destination.