| The Giants Causeway:
A few of Northern Ireland’s sights: |
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Photo Above – the middle Causeway, photo was taken during my first visit to Ireland on a relatively sunny day.
The Giant’s Causeway is truly one of Nature’s Wonders. These polygonal, column like structures, were formed millions (around 60 million) years ago when a volcanic rock flow experienced unusual, rapid, and erratic cooling.
Photo Above – puddles of water collect on the top of the basalt columns. |
It was this cooling process that forced the rock to crack, forming the material into hexagons and pentagons. A process somewhat like (but not the same as) that which forms the polygonal structures sometimes found in dried out mud puddles. |
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| Over the years the cap rock eroded exposing the basalt columns. By chance, the columns are next to and actually extend into the Ocean; providing a dramatic setting for these polygonal formations.Since the basalt columns look like pavers making a pathway into the sea, many early viewers of the structure thought it had to be the ruins of a man made causeway. But, who could have made such a grand structure? Only Giants of course.
Photo Right – As storm clouds gather above us, my son stands on the Causeway rocks and peers down to the calm ocean. |
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Arriving at the Giant’s Causeway Visitor Center, we decided to take the guidebook’s suggestion and hike the cliff’s face, the upper walk, ….at times I am not so certain Travel Guides know what they’re talking about.
We had encountered some wet weather in the early morning but as we headed out on to the cliff, it looked like mostly sun heading our way.
Continue to page 2 of the Giant’s Causeway
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