Durupınar formation research investigates potential Noah’s Ark remains

An international research team is conducting extensive investigations into the Durupınar formation, a boat-shaped geological structure near Mount Ararat in eastern Turkey, to determine if it contains the remains of Noah’s Ark.

Led by Sivas Cumhuriyet University in partnership with Noah’s Ark Scans, the 2026 research project utilized ground-penetrating radar, LiDAR, and core drilling at over a dozen locations. Researchers reported that the drilling failed to encounter the solid bedrock suggested by previous geological studies, instead uncovering dark, organic-rich soil. Andrew Jones, founder of Noah’s Ark Scans, noted that the presence of high organic matter could potentially indicate decayed wood.

While preliminary radar data has detected anomalies, voids, and right-angled structures, the scientific community remains divided. Many geologists maintain that the formation is a natural geological occurrence. The collected soil samples have been sent to laboratories at Ankara University and Sivas University for carbon-isotope analysis and age determination, with researchers hoping for further confirmation this winter.