The Giant’s Causeway is spectacular. It is a gigantic geological formation made up of more than 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns, some of which are up to 12 metres high! My favourite part is of course the breathtaking views and rock formations but the Myth and Legends behind the Causeway is what brings the imagination alive. The Giant's Causeway, the 173 acres of hexagonal basalt columns that hug the Antrim coast of Northern Ireland, has long been a source of wonder and mystery. Famed for its thousands of interlocking hexagonal columns that rise vertically like steps, the Giant’s Causeway is a geological oddity that looks distinctly man-made.. Scientists tell us that the Giant’s Causeway actually resulted from a volcanic eruption some 50-60 million years ago, leaving in its wake a dramatic collection of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns. The Giant’s Causeway is a spectacular, natural wonder in the UK. The Giant’s Causeway (Clochán an Aifir or Clochán na bhFomhórach) is a coastal area with roughly 40,000 interlocking basalt columns on the north coast of Northern Ireland, in County Antrim. What and where is Giants Causeway? The Giant's Causeway is Northern Ireland's most famous landmark and has been an official Unesco World Heritage Site since 1986. 4. The Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland’s most iconic landmark, has attracted millions of curious travelers over the centuries. The local influence. Today, the Giant’s Causeway is a UNESCO world heritage site. The over 40,000 near perfect hexagonal basalt columns make up the Giant’s Causeway. Every year, millions of tourists flock here to admire its beauty. The regular hexagonal rock formations are bluish black in colour, with a hint of red from iron oxide. The Giants Causeway comprises of about forty thousand interlocking basalt columns. The Giants Causeway is a famous rock formation situated on the coast of Antrim, Northern Ireland. ... basalt which formed a pool of lava. It is so unique in its appearance that it is hard to believe it is real. Eventually, he arrives to what he calls “Northern Ireland’s most popular attraction”. It is the aftermath of a volcanic eruption that happened about 60 million years ago, leaving the puzzle perfect pieces interlocked. From our article on the Geology of the Giants Causeway here, we know how the Causeways 40000 or so Hexagonal shaped columns were actually created, through Volcanic activity around 60 million years ago.. What is the Giant’s Causeway. Even though the hexagonal basalt columns are not themselves a unique phenomenon, the history/legend behind the area and the rugged and accessible setting on the north coast of Northern Ireland makes it … Causeway section. The Giants Causeway is made up of 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, most of which are hexagonal in shape as a result of an ancient volcanic eruption. Giant’s Causeway is vast, so vast. Over half a million tourists visit this iconic structure every year and it is easy to see why the appeal never dwindles. They were formed from volcanic activity 60 million years ago. What aspect of cooling led to this shape and does it in any way reflect the composition of the rock that forms it? Well, some say it’s a volcano that created it, others blame Finn MacCool and some even think it may have been … Spring is the best time of year for exploring the coast, also referred to as the Causeway Coast, but no trip is complete without a visit to the Causeway … The Giant's Causeway was formed 50 to 60 million years ago during a series of volcanic eruptions. And for good reason! The giants causeway is made up of hexagonal shaped stones of different heights, leading like a pathway into the sea. This area is comprises of approximately 40 thousands of basalt hexagonal columns. Giant’s causeway is the most visited and a natural attraction from Northern Ireland. This place has been listed in UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites in 1986 and this place became popular after the Giant’s Causeway Tramway was opened in 1883. Most of the columns are hexagonal (have six sides) but some have seven or eight sides. As this cooled and contracted, cracks appeared across the lava and formed dark, hexagonal stone steps. It is the most popular tourist attraction in Northern Ireland and was voted as the 4th best natural wonder in the UK. Some 40,000 strange, interlocking columns form a “road” of stepping stones that lead from the coastal cliffs down into the sea. It’s an epic sight, with a whopping 40,000 or so of these hexagonal-shaped stepping stones, which date back to a volcanic age almost 60 million years ago. Here are some facts about the Giant’s Causeway. The Giants causeway is linked to the legend of Finn MacCool who built it to fight another giant of Scotland. Legend, however, tells that the Giant’s Causeway was constructed by the great Irish giant, Finn MacCool, to be used as stepping stones to Scotland. On this Private Giants Causeway Tour from Belfast visit attractions like Dunluce Castle, Old Bushmills distillery, and Summon your courage to cross the nail-biting Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. On an island of stunning landscapes, Giants Causeway, on Northern Ireland’s Antrim coast, is one of the most gorgeous. The magical Giant’s Causeway has astounded ... with thanks to the same pattern of hexagonal columns appearing across the sea in Staffa, a Scottish island, which can … Does anybody know why this is so? Standing on the hexagonal rocks listening to the narrator in my ear made me feel as though I was standing where Giant’s stood. The Giant’s Causeway is a natural rock formation. The Giant’s Causeway forms part of the causeway coast that is made up of 40,000 hexagonal interlocking basalt columns. As the lava flow cooled, it contracted; causing cracks to appear in its surface. A 25-km (15-mile) long geological section of the Causeway Coast from Portrush to Kinbane Head looking north. It is located on the northeast coast of Northern Ireland, in the county of Antrim, a few miles from the town of Bushmills. The rapid cooling of lava fractured the rock into hexagonal pillars, some as tall as 39 feet. The Giant’s Causeway is in the middle of the section. 2. A must-see! It’s more than just the small pile of rocks you see in people’s pictures and it is fascinating. Taking a visit to the Giant's Causeway Visitors Centre one of the most unexpected aspects for me was the multitude of local produce, arts and crafts on sale at the gift shop. Giant’s Causeway Things to Do Giant's Causeway … A stretch of coastline with perfectly formed hexagonal columns, all massed together at the water’s edge…it’s an amazing sight to see. The legend of the Giant’s Causeway The battle of two giants… at the origin of the Giant’s Causeway. The Natural Wonder of Giants Causeway! Each pillar is individually distinct and could be removed intact. This geological wonder, comprising perfectly-shaped interlocking hexagonal columns, is surrounded by mysticism and tales of giants. Over 40,000 hexagonal (well, if we’re being technical 5,6 or 7 sided) basalt columns come out of the sea and the symmetry and size of the world heritage site is just something you have to see before you die. The most famous of these hexagonal columns are found at the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland, where they are said to be the work of Finn MacCool, an Irish giant. CNN’s John D Sutter is touring the island of Ireland clockwise. Lying on the north coast of County Antrim, The Giant's Causeway has been Northern Ireland's most popular tourist attraction for 300 years. Adapted from Lyle, P., A Geological Excursion Guide to the Causeway Coast, W&G Baird, Second Printing, p.4, 1998. In this way, the columns formed. My little pose on the giants causeway hexagonal rocks. The lava, in contact with water and air, quickly cooled, giving rise to the hexagonal basaltic columns that today form the Giant’s Causeway. The Giant's Causeway is a truly magical place. This place is developed by the volcanic eruption about 50 millions year back. The Causeway is a strange site. The scenery in this area gives some of the most breathtaking views in the world; enormous cliffs, secluded bays, isolated ruins, and the Giant's Causeway make for an awe inspiring location. The Giant’s causeway is located in Country Antrim on the North Coast of Northern Ireland about about 5km from the town of Bushmills. The Giant’s Causeway had its own visitor’s center but it has been mysteriously burned down ten years ago. What is the Giant’s Causeway? The 40,000+ columns of basalt which emanate from the sea like miniature hexagonal cities make for an absolutely spectacular sight. The Causeway Coast in Northern Ireland has an unparalleled display of polygonal columns of basalt rock resulting from a volcanic eruption 60 million years ago. Northern Ireland's wonder, The Giants Causeway. It is located at the county Antrim. Giant's Causeway: Overated, overpriced, disappointing experience - See 11,139 traveler reviews, 10,731 candid photos, and great deals for Bushmills, UK, at Tripadvisor. The Giant’s Causeway is an amazing geological wonder, which truly has to be seen to be believed. Why is the giant’s causeway hexagonal? The dramatic hexagonal red columns make up part of the coastline that forms a natural protection against severe Atlantic storms. Vertical exaggeration is approximately 6 times. But the approximately 40,000 interlocking, hexagonal basalt columns were formed almost 60 … it is lots of rocks tight together in antrim. Most columns are hexagonal, with some having four, five, seven or eight sides, up to 12 metres (39 ft) high. Almost perfect hexagonal shapes of the stone columns, Credits: Flickr. Located amidst the magical splendor of the rugged County Antrim coastline in Northern Ireland, this jagged promontory of neatly stacked and packed rock columns, is completely alluring. It looks more like a puzzle or a massive piece of modern art rather than something naturally made. Formed between 50 and 60 million years ago, the 'causeway' takes its name from the legends of Finn MacCool and draws people from far and wide to this corner of north Antrim. The Giant's Causeway in County Antrim in Ireland is made up of quite large hexagonal columns. This shape is very common among columnar basalt formations around the world. 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