Alpine compressional movements in the Pliocene. Tension movements that took place in the Neogene and continued until the Pliocene caused volcanic activities dating back to historical times. Geological structure It can be said that Tuz Gölü has a unique geological structure. In the geological structure of the lake, there is a salt layer of different densities that continues continuously for 1,000 meters. This layer ensures the continuity of salt production around the lake, in other words, it extends the commercial life of the salt industry in the region. In the Tuz Gölü Basin, there is a 10 km-thick stacking with age varying from the Upper Cretaceous to the present. While units such as shale, sandstone, pebble stone and limestone, which generally have flysch character and interact with each other in vertical and lateral directions, were deposited in the deep parts of the basin, it was revealed by the researchers that terrestrial and shallow marine units in the marginal parts were also deposited. Conglomerate and sandstones, which are high energy products, were deposited in shallow marine and terrestrial environments, and shale, limestone, gypsum and anhydrites were formed in calm periods. The basement rock units, Temirözü, Mollaresul formations, Ankara complex and Kırşehir crystalline complex in the north and northeast of the Tuz Gölü Basin, and low-grade metamorphics in the west and southwest constitute. Climate The basin of Lake Tuz is influenced by cold semi-arid steppe (Bsk) and Mediterranean (Csa and Csb) climates. Northern areas of the basin such as Kulu are wetter and show a Mediterranean characteristic, meanwhile more southern areas like Çumra, Aksaray and Karapınar have a steppe climate. The area is generally sheltered from moisture-bearing air masses behind the Taurus Mountains. The average yearly precipitation in the basin is 324 mm, thus making the region one of the driest in Turkey. History Anciently, the lake was called Tatta, and was located on the frontiers between ancient Lycaonia and Galatia; it had originally belonged to Phrygia, but was afterwards annexed to Lycaonia. The ancients reported that its waters were so impregnated with brine, that any substance dipped into it, was immediately encrusted with a thick coat of salt; even birds flying near the surface had their wings moistened with the saline particles, so as to become incapable of rising into the air, and to be easily caught. Stephanus of Byzantium speaks of a salt lake in Phrygia, which he calls Attaea