Giant's Causeway formed by major volcanic event over 5.5 million years, study finds
By
Donna Ferguson
Properly proved. Has structure, has flavour, has a point.
Summary
Geochronologists have discovered that the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland was formed by intense volcanic activity during a major global volcanic event approximately 60 million years ago, rather than the legendary battle between giants Finn McCool and Benandonner. The research reveals the 40,000 interlocking basalt columns developed over 5.5 million years—8 million years less than previously thought.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledFor centuries, the tale has been passed from generation to generation: how the Irish giant Finn McCool built the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland to fight Benandonner, his Scottish rival, by hurling chunks of the Antrim coastline into the sea.
Now, scientists have revealed it was intense volcanic activity during a 'major globally impacting volcanic event' – and not a legendary battle between two destructive giants – that led to the formation of the coastline's 40,000 distinctive interlocking basalt columns about 60m years ago.
Geochronologists investigating how the Giant's Causeway was created
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