taflur

Taflur is a geological term used to describe a particular type of shallow aquifer that occurs within highly porous, clay-rich sedimentary layers. The designation originated in the early twentieth century within the Turkish geological literature and is most commonly applied to aquifers situated in Eastern Anatolia. In these contexts a taflur aquifer is characterized by a relatively high water table, a rapid recharge rate from precipitation and surface runoff, and a permeability that allows for efficient groundwater extraction.

Geographical distribution of taflur aquifers is largely limited to the plateau surrounding the city of Erzurum, where several historic wells and irrigation channels have been found to tap into the subsurface water. The term also appears in early Arabic manuscripts that describe water sources along the Silk Road; these references are interpreted by some scholars as early documentation of the same hydrogeological phenomenon.

Archaeological investigations in the late twentieth and early twenty‑first centuries have documented vertical shafts and borehole drills associated with the taflur sites. Water quality assessments from samples drawn during these excavations have revealed high mineral content, especially calcium and magnesium, a feature typical of limestone-influenced groundwater.

In contemporary geology the term taflur is occasionally used in academic papers on regional hydrogeology to denote aquifers that meet the described structural and hydraulic criteria. The usage is somewhat specialized, with most references found in Turkish and regional scientific journals. Despite its niche application, the concept of a taflur aquifer remains an illustrative example of how local geological features can acquire a distinct terminology within scientific communities.