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Photos from a trip to the Giant's Causeway, County Antrim, Northern Ireland - a tiny local resident, a wren - July 2014
Everything around the giant's causeway was designed to echo the unique formations found there. The cobbles were hexagonal, like many of the stones of the causeway, and the visitor center was framed by unique basalt pillars.
I am not sure what causes these strange hexagonal rock shapes. I had never seen them in person before. It was definitely worth the hike down, despite the fog and wet rocks. My new hiking boots held up excellently, though I did slip once and managed to get a rather sizable bruise for my efforts.
UPDATE: I know nothing about geology, but, after a little research, I have learned a few basic things about basalt columns. Columnar Basalt is the result of cooling and cracking of an unusually thick basaltic lava flow. The size of the columns is determined by the speed of the drying lava front.
Svartifoss
Svartifoss (Black Fall) is a waterfall in Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park in Iceland, and is one of the most popular sights in the park. It is surrounded by dark lava columns, which gave rise to its name. Other well-known columnar jointing formations are seen at the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland, Devil's Tower in Wyoming, USA and on the island of Staffa in Scotland. There are also similar formations throughout Iceland, including a small cave on the beach of Reynisdrangar.
The base of this waterfall is noteworthy for its sharp rocks. New hexagonal column sections break off faster than the falling water wears down the edges.
These basalt columns have provided inspiration for Icelandic architects, most visibly in the Hallgrímskirkja church in Reykjavík, and also the National Theatre.
In the ships tender, approaching the caves. Slow-cooling lava formed the hexagonal basalt columns. Published in print, "Three Weeks, Fifteen Islands," July 2015; at europeupclose.com/article/a-small-ship-cruise-in-the-scot... and in a video.
© Photos by Pharos 2014
Photos from a trip to the Giant's Causeway, County Antrim, Northern Ireland - inscribed boulder near the visitor centre - July 2014
Cook's Head Rock is a phonolite basalt rock standing on the Chrystall's Beach expanse closely north of the rivermouth settlement Toko Mouth of South Otago, New Zealand.
The lower faces of the rock are made up of numerous hexagonal basalt columns suggesting Cook's Head Rock is a former volcanic vent.
Svartifoss
Svartifoss (Black Fall) is a waterfall in Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park in Iceland, and is one of the most popular sights in the park. It is surrounded by dark lava columns, which gave rise to its name. Other well-known columnar jointing formations are seen at the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland, Devil's Tower in Wyoming, USA and on the island of Staffa in Scotland. There are also similar formations throughout Iceland, including a small cave on the beach of Reynisdrangar.
The base of this waterfall is noteworthy for its sharp rocks. New hexagonal column sections break off faster than the falling water wears down the edges.
These basalt columns have provided inspiration for Icelandic architects, most visibly in the Hallgrímskirkja church in Reykjavík, and also the National Theatre.
Photos from a trip to the Giant's Causeway, County Antrim, Northern Ireland - July 2014 - scree slopes
Rocky features at Bombo Headland near Kiama.
The Bombo Headland's clusters of hexagonal basalt columns are an internationally recognised geological phenomena.
Svartifoss
Svartifoss (Black Fall) is a waterfall in Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park in Iceland, and is one of the most popular sights in the park. It is surrounded by dark lava columns, which gave rise to its name. Other well-known columnar jointing formations are seen at the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland, Devil's Tower in Wyoming, USA and on the island of Staffa in Scotland. There are also similar formations throughout Iceland, including a small cave on the beach of Reynisdrangar.
The base of this waterfall is noteworthy for its sharp rocks. New hexagonal column sections break off faster than the falling water wears down the edges.
These basalt columns have provided inspiration for Icelandic architects, most visibly in the Hallgrímskirkja church in Reykjavík, and also the National Theatre.