Yesterday, @geo_spatialist posted this *gorgeous* rendering of a geological map of #Ireland from 1878.
Because I'm procrastinating, here's a short thread on the geology of some of the locales around Ireland, as shown by this map
(1/n)
Because I'm procrastinating, here's a short thread on the geology of some of the locales around Ireland, as shown by this map
(1/n)
First up: the Wicklow Mountains (white box on map to the right).
These mountains are a) actually not really mountains at all (just big hills), and b) exposed granite intrusions that were pushed up when an ancient ocean called Iapetus closed up ~420 Myr ago (plus or minus)
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These mountains are a) actually not really mountains at all (just big hills), and b) exposed granite intrusions that were pushed up when an ancient ocean called Iapetus closed up ~420 Myr ago (plus or minus)
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Next: the Giant's Causeway in Antrim (upper right)!
This incredible landscape comprises basaltic lava flows that were erupted when the North Atlantic unzipped, around 60-ish Myr ago. The polygonal blocks of lava formed as the molten rock cooled and contracted!
(3/n)
This incredible landscape comprises basaltic lava flows that were erupted when the North Atlantic unzipped, around 60-ish Myr ago. The polygonal blocks of lava formed as the molten rock cooled and contracted!
(3/n)
Moving across the island, we come to the Burren (west coast)!
This is a dramatic landscape of eroded limestone beds laid down at the bottom of a shallow, tropical sea when Ireland was near the equator, around 325 Myr ago. This place is magical to visit.
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This is a dramatic landscape of eroded limestone beds laid down at the bottom of a shallow, tropical sea when Ireland was near the equator, around 325 Myr ago. This place is magical to visit.
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Finally, here's a shot of the wild Atlantic eating away at the cliffs of Portmagee in Kerry (lower left)—
These cliffs are composed of Old Red Sandstone, which pretty much sounds like its name. This type of rock formed ~420–360 Myr ago, and makes for some amazing scenery.
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These cliffs are composed of Old Red Sandstone, which pretty much sounds like its name. This type of rock formed ~420–360 Myr ago, and makes for some amazing scenery.
(5/n)
OK, that's the end of this short procrastination project/advertisement for visiting Ireland. I hope you enjoyed it!
(Here are the Cliffs of Moher in Clare, towering cliffs of shales and sandstones from 326–313 Myr ago. The last time I was here, it was pissing rain.)
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(Here are the Cliffs of Moher in Clare, towering cliffs of shales and sandstones from 326–313 Myr ago. The last time I was here, it was pissing rain.)
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