Meke Lake

Meke Lake is a volcanic maar lake located in the Karapınar district of Konya province in Türkiye. Covering an area of place, it is known as the “Eye of the World” due to its geological structure and aerial view, which resembles a bead. Lake formed when water filled a dormant volcano crater created by a gas explosion, and it contains small islands originating from volcanic cones in its center. The lake is situated 2 kilometers off the 7th kilometer mark of the Karapınar-Ereğli road at an elevation of 981 meters above sea sea level. Main The lake is 800 meters long, 500 meters wide and 12 meters deep. The second lake located on the central volcanic cone has a depth of 25 meters and contains saline water. This natural wonder, named after the meke birds living in the surrounding area, is one of Türkiye’s key migrant stopover sites for migratory birds and was included in the Ramsar Convention list in 2005.

^{Meke Lake (}karapinargezirehberi⁾

The formation of Meke Lake began with a volcanic eruption approximately 4 to 5 million years ago during the Pleistocene epoch. This eruption, linked to the Karacadağ volcanic activity, created a large crater (pyroclastic cone), which gradually filled with water to become a lake. Around 9,000 years ago, a second volcanic eruption formed a new volcanic cone in the center of the lake; when this cone also filled with water, the lake acquired its characteristic eye-like appearance. The main cone rises 120 meters above the lakebed, and three additional parasitic cones surround it. The lake and its surroundings consist of basalt, andesite, lapilli tuff, volcanic bombs and ash like pyroclastic materials. The geological units in the region include metamorphic rocks dating from the Paleozoic to the present, Paleogene and Neogene sedimentary layers, and Miocene-Pliocene volcanic rocks.

^{Meke Lake (}Anadolu Agency⁾

In recent years, Meke Lake has faced severe threats due to increasing drought and the unsustainable exploitation of groundwater. Located in the Konya Closed Basin, the lake has dried up by 99 percent due to low annual rainfall (average 320 mm) and declining groundwater levels. Salt crystals and layers have formed in the dried areas of the lake, while the remaining small water pools have turned red due to microbial activity. According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fetullah Arık, this red coloration stems from microbial residues commonly found in saline and sodic lakes. The lake’s former beauty, when it was fully covered with water in the early 2000s, was dazzling; by 2015, it had completely dried up. Drought, unsustainable agricultural irrigation and illegal wells have prevented the lake from being replenished by groundwater.

^{Meke Lake (}Anadolu Agency⁾

Meke Lake holds significant ecological value due to its biodiversity and role as a habitat for migratory birds. In the past, it supported numerous bird species including the meke bird, sakar meke, angıt, water rail and rock eagle; however, most of these species have now abandoned the area due to desiccation. From a tourism perspective, the lake attracts interest due to its geotourism potential and appeal to foreign visitors. Prof. Dr. Tahir Nalbantçılar has noted that Meke is among the world’s rare geological formations and could become a major center with effective promotion. The lake’s eye-like appearance becomes particularly prominent during wet periods when it is filled with water or snow.

^{Meke Lake (}Anadolu Agency⁾

To restore Meke Lake to its former glory, the Konya Metropolitan Municipality has launched the “Project for Replenishing Meke Lake with Recovered Wastewater.” The Wastewater Recovery Facility, constructed adjacent to the Karapınar Wastewater Treatment Plant, has reached 75 percent completion as of 2025. Under the project, 7,000 cubic meters of treated water per day will be delivered to the lake via an 8.5-kilometer pipeline. This facility aims to maintain the lake’s water level and irrigate surrounding green areas. Municipality Mayor Uğur İbrahim Altay emphasized that the project is being implemented with the support of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and will restore life to the lake.

Meke Lake is one of Türkiye’s most unique natural heritage sites due to its geological, ecological and touristic value. However, it faces the threat of none due to drought, excessive groundwater extraction and unsustainable agricultural policies. Its preservation is possible through the widespread adoption of modern irrigation techniques, prevention of illegal wells and sustainable management of water resources.