High in the mountains of Turkey, a team of researchers is exploring a geological formation that some believe could be the remains of Noah’s Ark. According to the Book of Genesis, the massive vessel saved humanity and every kind of animal from a catastrophic flood over 4,300 years ago.
The Durupınar Formation, located 18 miles south of Mount Ararat, has drawn renewed attention due to recent findings by American researchers led by Andrew Jones of Noah’s Ark Scans. Using ground-penetrating radar (GPR), the team detected a 13-foot tunnel running through the center of the formation, along with angular structures as deep as 20 feet below the surface.
Jones told The Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN), ‘This is not what you’d expect to see if the site were simply a solid block of rock or the result of random mudflow debris. But it is exactly what you’d expect to find if this were a man-made boat, consistent with the biblical specifications of Noah’s Ark.’
According to Genesis 6:16, the Ark was constructed with lower, second, and third decks. The GPR data appears to show multiple layers, possibly indicating the presence of these decks. ‘We’re not expecting something that’s fully preserved,’ Jones said. ‘What’s left is the chemical imprint, pieces of wood and in the ground, the shape of a hall.’
Another team member, William Crabtree, a soil scientist, noted that soil testing revealed elevated potassium levels and organic matter inside the formation. ‘If this was a wooden boat and the wood had rotted over time, we would expect to see elevated levels of potassium, changes in pH, and higher organic content—and that’s exactly what we’re finding,’ Crabtree said.
The Durupınar Formation has been a subject of intrigue since 1948, when heavy rains and earthquakes exposed its distinct shape. Local shepherds first reported the unusual structure, leading to decades of speculation and study.
Jones and his team are continuing their investigations with plans to conduct core drilling surveys and further GPR scans. ‘We want to compare what’s inside the formation to what’s outside,’ he said. ‘That could give us a much clearer picture of whether this is truly something man-made.’
While many scientists argue that the formation is a naturally occurring geological feature, Jones and his team believe the evidence suggests otherwise. For the faithful, the possibility of Noah’s Ark resting in the mountains of Turkey serves as a profound reminder of God’s power and the enduring truth of Scripture.
