While Giant’s Causeway might not have the name recognition of the Louvre or Buckingham Palace, it nonetheless rivals and even surpasses these manmade destination spots in terms of sheer memorability. People who visit Giant’s Causeway have never before seen anything like this natural wonder. In fact, nothing like it exists anywhere else in the world. Northern Island may not be the world’s #1 natural wonder destination spot in general, but when it comes to Giant’s Causeway, it outperforms many other countries.
Giant’s Causeway was formed some 60 million years ago by volcanic activity deep beneath what is now Northern Ireland. Layers of chalk still lie well beneath this region, part of the essential soil composition and providing a layer of protection against molten rock activity beneath. In this case, volcanic rock forced its way through the chalk and onto the surface of the land. Over years, it hardened and cooled. Like mud drying in the desert, slightly irregular cracks formed on the surface of the hardened lava. These extended many meters down into the rock beneath.
In their cool, hardened form, these columns are made of basalt. Most of the thousands of columns are hexagonal, though some have four, five, seven, or even eight sides. Beyond that, the columns look curiously uniform from the top, almost like they were built steadily (though sloppily) by the same giant artist. Each column is, however, different in terms of height. Some are just an inch or two above (or below) sea level. They stretch irregularly up to dozens of meters in the air. Columns are more or less grouped together by height so that tall columns form “dunes” which can be climbed. The whole thing has such an unusual appearance that you’ve almost certainly never seen anything like it. In fact, there is no other rock formation just like it anywhere else in the world.
Allen’s Giant’s Causeway Tours can take you right to the foot of these magnificent structures. The people at Allen’s are as knowledgeable about the structure and history of these wonderful rock formations as anyone else on earth. When they’re not guiding you around this spectacular natural wonder, they can help you find some of the best food and drink that Northern Ireland has to offer.
When people visit Europe, North Ireland is not usually the #1 destination spot on their list. But when you start to learn some of the nation’s natural idiosyncrasies, it asserts itself as a definite priority. If you want to see some of the more irregular sights in Europe, want to save money, love the outdoors, or any combination of the above, Giant’s Causeway is for you. You’ll want to see it and share it with the people you love. You’ll want to take pictures, because there is no other sight like it on earth. You’ll want to climb around on the amazing formations and watch the water roll by. And you’ll want to remember it forever – in fact, you’ll never forget Giant’s Causeway.
Leave a Reply