Giant's Causeway by cfulton
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Description
My next visit on the Antrim Coast was to the Giant's Causeway to see the rock structures there...
Sixty million years ago Antrim was subject to intense volcanic activity, when highly fluid molten rock was forced up through fissures in the chalk bed to form an extensive lava plateau.
The dramatic cliff like edge of the plateau forms the Causeway coastline. The larger fissures, through which the lava flowed, can be clearly seen as bands of dark rock which cut down the cliff faces and jut out to sea. There were three periods of volcanic activity which resulted in the flows, known as the Lower, Middle and Upper Basalts.
It is the Middle Basalts rocks which forms the columns of the Giants Causeway. The rapidly cooling lava contracted and variations in the cooling rate resulted in the world famous columnar structure.
The columns are mainly hexagonal though there are some with up to eight sides. Weathering of the top of of the lower Basalts formed the Inter Basaltic Bed - the band of reddish rock which is a feature of the area.
www.giantscausewayofficialguide.com
Not an ideal day for clambering up wet rock steps with a camera - well worth it though!
Clive
Comments (11)
awjay
excellent
durleybeachbum
Marvellous! This a super pic, Clive:I have seen many photos but never one like yours..Love it!
Blush
Great pic Hugs Susan~
Faemike55
So now I know what it looks like when someone references the Giant's Causeway Thank you very much
bmac62
We've been treated to lots of basalts in Oregon on our last trip, but this is very unique. I find it fascinating that the columns form with 6-8 regular sides. A very interesting photo!
blinkings
What an amazing place. We have some terrific Basalt beaches over here, but nothing quite like this. Not that I have ever seen it in the flesh.
auntietk
What a fascinating place! You'd never get me out of there.
fallen21
Awesome capture.
jayfar
This is an excellent Capture of this phenomenon, somewhere I would like to visit.
MrsRatbag
I'm with Tara, I'd set up a tent and stay! What a wonderful spot and capture!
kgb224
Superb capture Clive. God Bless.