Durupinar Formation: Drilling begins at suspected Noah's Ark site

An international team of researchers has commenced core drilling at the Durupinar formation in eastern Turkey, a boat-shaped geological structure near Mount Ararat. The 2026 expedition, led by Professor Cenker Atila of Sivas Cumhuriyet University in collaboration with Noah’s Ark Scans, aims to investigate whether the site contains the remains of Noah’s Ark.

Using advanced technology including ground-penetrating radar, LiDAR, and GPS mapping, the team has identified underground anomalies such as linear structures, right-angle intersections, and potential corridors or chambers. Researchers have also collected approximately 1,000 soil samples, noting higher levels of organic material within the formation compared to the surrounding area. Some findings include pottery fragments believed to date from before a catastrophic flood.

The team plans to deploy a specialized underground robot named ‘Gopher’ to explore mapped voids and cavities. While some members of the expedition suggest the findings could have significant implications for historical and scientific understanding, many geologists maintain that the formation is a natural geological feature. Laboratory analyses of the collected core samples and organic matter are expected to continue through the winter, with definitive results anticipated in 2027.