oecologia:Giant’s Causeway • Northern IrelandGiant’s Causeway, located in Northern Ireland, is an ar
oecologia:Giant’s Causeway • Northern IrelandGiant’s Causeway, located in Northern Ireland, is an area of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns. They were formed 50-60 million years ago during an ancient volcanic eruption. Fluid basaltic lava covered chalk beds to form a large lava plateau. As this cooled, contraction amongst the lava occurred, creating cracks which then formed the pillar-like structures seen today.It was declared a World Heritage Site in 1986 by UNESCO, and has been a popular destination for tourists since the 19th century, welcoming up to 800,000 visitors per year.(Photos by: Michael Breitung) -- source link