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Throughout the long eruption history of the Santorini volcano, the Cape Riva/Y-2 and Minoan/Z-2 eruptions had a profound impact on the environment. The Minoan eruptions also had a significant impact on society. These two tephras, as well as the Y-2 tephra individually, have been recorded for the first time in a lacustrine area in western Anatolia. This study examines the geochemical properties of Y-2 (23 cm) and Z-2 tephra layers (19 cm; 14 cm pure and 5 cm mixed) from 18 m sediment cores in Lake Yayla (Denizli-Buldan). Additionally, high-resolution µXRF, fossil pollen, charcoal, and dating analyses were conducted on the cores to determine the chronologies and environmental effects of the tephra layers. Fossil pollen findings show consistent forest and steppe/grassland vegetation before and after the Z-2 tephra, with the forest impact lasting for 240 years after the eruption. Increased aquatic vegetation and changes in specific taxa (e.g. Pinus sp. and Amaranthaceae increased, while Quercus deciduous, Olea europaea, and cereals decreased) were observed following the Minoan eruption. Charcoal analysis indicates heightened fire activity post-Minoan eruption, while XRF data reveal no associated climatic change. At the same time, no correlation has been identified between the Cape Riva eruption and ecological changes (climate, vegetation, and fire activity). Contribution to dating the tephra was provided by radiocarbon dating from the lowest part of the tephra layer (17,684 ± 63 years BP). This study sheds light on the extensive impacts of the Y-2 and Z-2 tephra eruptions, focusing on their dating, geochemistry, environmental effects, tephra transport directions, and thicknesses. It demonstrates the presence of a significant geological event for the settlements in the Büyük Menderes Valley. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studying climate changes in the Eastern Mediterranean and Aegean region, particularly in Western Anatolia, is crucial for understanding environmental dynamics over time. We present high‐resolution, long‐term micro‐X‐ray fluorescence data from Buldan Yayla Lake (Denizli‐Buldan), a key area, covering the period from the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) to the present. Sedimentological and paleoclimate data are supported by high‐resolution radiocarbon analyses, as well as two tephra chronologies from Cape Riva and Minoan. According to the results, a cold and arid climate is observed during the LGM, Post‐LGM and Younger Dryas. From the LGM to the present, there has been a trend towards increasing warmth and humidity. During the Late Glacial (LG) and Holocene (especially in the early Holocene), the climate was warmer and more humid. A short‐lived climate change associated with the Older Dryas is recorded during the Bølling–Allerød warm period (~13 200–12 350 cal a bp) within the LG. The data indicate that the sediment cores of Buldan Yayla Lake are highly sensitive in reflecting climate information between the LGM and the present day. At the same time, the climate in Western Anatolia is recorded as more stable throughout the Holocene. In conclusion, this study enhances our understanding of Western Anatolia's climate dynamics and environment–society relationship from the LGM to the present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]