Northern Ireland
Giant's Causeway
Giant's Causeway
Above: Rotary gave me the opportunity to explore Giant's Causeway on the north coast. This
spectacular rock formation is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a National Nature Reserve.
spectacular rock formation is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a National Nature Reserve.
Above: Although the photos do not do Giant's Causeway justice, when you see it in person you will understand
why the ancients thought the causeway was not a natural feature. Their mythological explanation is that the Irish
Giant, Finn MacCool, built the Causeway so he could cross the sea to fight his Scottish rival.
why the ancients thought the causeway was not a natural feature. Their mythological explanation is that the Irish
Giant, Finn MacCool, built the Causeway so he could cross the sea to fight his Scottish rival.
Above: The more prosaic scientific explanation is that the Causeway rocks were
formed 60 million years ago when a thick layer of molten basaltic lava flowed along
a valley in the existing chalk beds. As the lava flow cooled and hardened, it
contracted creating a pattern of hexagonal cracks at right angles.
formed 60 million years ago when a thick layer of molten basaltic lava flowed along
a valley in the existing chalk beds. As the lava flow cooled and hardened, it
contracted creating a pattern of hexagonal cracks at right angles.
Above and Below: The vast expanse of regular, hexagonal stone columns dipping gently beneath the waves
looks like the handiwork of giants.
looks like the handiwork of giants.
