Cappadocia's volcanic rock holds solar panels better than concrete

Deep beneath the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia lies a geological secret that makes it the world's most stable foundation for solar power. The region is blanketed in tuff, a soft rock formed from ancient volcanic ash that is easy to drill into but becomes incredibly rigid once a steel pile is driven home. When the ground begins to shake during a major earthquake, this volcanic rock absorbs the energy. It dampens seismic vibrations nearly seventy percent better than standard concrete foundations, which tend to crack or shift under the same pressure.