Caves in Türkiye

About one third of Türkiye is underlain by carbonate rocks. The intense karstification is spread almost all over Türkiye.

It is found particularly in the regions of the Taurus Mountain Range, in Northwest Anatolia, in Konya closed basin and in Southeastern Anatolia. Karstification is present both at high altitudes (over 2000 m.) and also it is known to exist at elevations below the sea level, such as Ovacik submarine springs, Kas - Kalkan submarine springs and the Mediterranean region coastal springs.

Türkiye is thoroughly located in the Mediterranean sector of the Alpine orogenic belt. The Alpine orogeny and the following epirogenic movements in Türkiye have been important factors in karstification.
 
According to Eroskay and Günay (1979), four karst regions can be differentiated in Türkiye Taurus region, Central Anatolia region Southern Anatolia region, and Northwest Anatolia and Thrace region.