<p>This is most likely a small <a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slump_(geology)" rel="nofollow noreferrer">slump</a> scar modified by later erosion. If you look at the feature from a different angle <a href="https://earth.app.goo.gl/?apn=com.google.earth&amp;ibi=com.google.b612&amp;isi=293622097&amp;ius=googleearth&amp;link=https%3a%2f%2fearth.google.com%2fweb%2f%4038.47527282,43.48863699,2609.19707642a,183.06362143d,35y,155.54596085h,79.62697511t,0r" rel="nofollow noreferrer">in Google Earth</a>, you will see that it's not even circular.  It's more of a teardrop-ey crescent Moon shape, with the concave part downslope from the convex part. The bottom edge and top edge used to match up before the slide.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-09-01T11:38:04.030Z
2018-09-01T11:38:04.030Z
Spencer
<p>Given there is no raised rim around the hole, it is not meteorite crater.</p>

<p>It is difficult to be certain given the perspective view in the picture, but it appears to be sink hole, also known as a subsidence hole. More pictures of the area &amp; even an aerial view would help significantly.</p>

<p>If the region has a history of underground mining, the hole may be due to the collapse of underground openings resulting in subsidence on the surface.</p>

<p>If the is no history of mining in the region then an opening may have been created underground, by subterranean water sources and the surface material has subsided or sunk into the hole.</p>

<p>Another possibility is that the hole is a bomb crater produced by the military. This could occur if the site was used as a bombing range by the Turkish air force. Also, given the proximity of the area to Kurdish regions, another possibility is that a bomb could have been dropped during a battle with Kurdish or similar forces.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-08-31T19:12:56.747Z
That is the only photo of the formation I took. I am a local and I can confidently say that any kind of detonation isn't the cause. And I am writing a book about the region and I haven't encountered an information about mining in that area.
serekani
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-09-01T02:51:18.400Z
See [Karst](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karst). Are you near [Taşeli](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ta%C5%9Feli)?
Keith McClary
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-09-01T13:50:38.010Z
@KeithMcClary No, far away from there.
serekani
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-08-31T17:30:52.153Z
2018-08-31T17:30:52.153Z
Fred
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/pOj7n.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/pOj7n.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>Lat., long.38.47491, 43.48882, in the vicinity of Van in Turkey</p>

<p>I saw this when hiking. I want to know what it is and what are the dangers it poses. Lots of people hike that area in spring and summer, villagers collect edible plants in the area and graze livestock there.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-09-01T11:20:49.027Z
I keep envisioning a golf green on top of the hill.
Spencer
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-09-03T18:04:44.183Z
A start would be to look at the geology of the area, for example the type of native rock and soil in the area.
Armondo Villaescuza
<geology>
What is this? A sinkhole?
serekani
# What is this? A sinkhole?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-08-31)

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/pOj7n.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/pOj7n.jpg)

Lat., long.38.47491, 43.48882, in the vicinity of Van in Turkey

I saw this when hiking. I want to know what it is and what are the dangers it poses. Lots of people hike that area in spring and summer, villagers collect edible plants in the area and graze livestock there.

**Tags:** geology

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: I keep envisioning a golf green on top of the hill.  
> **username_2**: A start would be to look at the geology of the area, for example the type of native rock and soil in the area.  

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2018-09-01. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

This is most likely a small [slump](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slump_(geology)) scar modified by later erosion. If you look at the feature from a different angle [in Google Earth](https://earth.app.goo.gl/?apn=com.google.earth&ibi=com.google.b612&isi=293622097&ius=googleearth&link=https%3a%2f%2fearth.google.com%2fweb%2f%4038.47527282,43.48863699,2609.19707642a,183.06362143d,35y,155.54596085h,79.62697511t,0r), you will see that it's not even circular. It's more of a teardrop-ey crescent Moon shape, with the concave part downslope from the convex part. The bottom edge and top edge used to match up before the slide.


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### Answer by username_3 on 2018-08-31. Score: 2

Given there is no raised rim around the hole, it is not meteorite crater.

It is difficult to be certain given the perspective view in the picture, but it appears to be sink hole, also known as a subsidence hole. More pictures of the area & even an aerial view would help significantly.

If the region has a history of underground mining, the hole may be due to the collapse of underground openings resulting in subsidence on the surface.

If the is no history of mining in the region then an opening may have been created underground, by subterranean water sources and the surface material has subsided or sunk into the hole.

Another possibility is that the hole is a bomb crater produced by the military. This could occur if the site was used as a bombing range by the Turkish air force. Also, given the proximity of the area to Kurdish regions, another possibility is that a bomb could have been dropped during a battle with Kurdish or similar forces.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: That is the only photo of the formation I took. I am a local and I can confidently say that any kind of detonation isn't the cause. And I am writing a book about the region and I haven't encountered an information about mining in that area.  
> **username_4**: See [Karst](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karst). Are you near [Taşeli](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ta%C5%9Feli)?  
> **username_0**: @username_4 No, far away from there.  

---

