Giant's Causeway and Causeway Coast - Die "Straße der Riesen"
Bushmills, Northern Ireland
16.03.2011
On the dramatic Antrim Coast near Bushmills in Northern Ireland, lies the Giant's Causeway, a natural wonder captivating visitors with its distinctive pattern of approximately 40,000 interlocking basalt columns. Mostly hexagonal, these columns form a unique pavement stretching into the Atlantic, a truly spectacular sight.
A Geological Marvel
The scientific explanation dates back some 50 to 60 million years during the Paleogene period. Intense volcanic activity caused molten basalt to erupt and spread. As this thick lava flow cooled and contracted, it cracked into precise, polygonal shapes. The uniform cooling allowed for these geometric columns, which erode at different rates, creating the steps and platforms seen today.
The Legend of Finn MacCool
Conversely, ancient Irish mythology offers a colourful tale. Legend claims the Giant's Causeway was built by the benevolent Irish giant, Finn MacCool (or Fionn mac Cumhaill). Finn constructed these stepping stones across the North Channel to Scotland, intending to confront or escape the Scottish giant Benandonner. This myth of Finn forging a bridge between lands is a cherished part of Irish folklore, adding enchantment to the geological reality.
Recognition and Preservation
The site gained wider recognition in the 17th century, drawing naturalists and artists. Its unique beauty and scientific significance eventually led to its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986. This prestigious status acknowledges the Giant's Causeway as an area of outstanding universal value, deserving protection. It remains one of Northern Ireland's most iconic landmarks, inviting millions to marvel at its natural artistry and reflect on Earth's powerful forces.
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The Giant's Causeway lies at the foot of the basalt cliffs along the sea coast on the edge of the Antrim plateau in Northern Ireland. It is made up of some 40,000 massive black basalt columns sticking out of the sea. The dramatic sight has inspired legends of giants striding over the sea to Scotland. Geological studies of these formations over the last 300 years have greatly contributed to the development of the earth sciences, and show that this striking landscape was caused by volcanic activity during the Tertiary, some 50–60 million years ago.
The Giant's Causeway (Irish: Clochán an Aifir or Clochán na bhFomhórach) is an area of approximately 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic fissure eruption, part of the North Atlantic Igneous Province active in the region during the Paleogene period. It is located in County Antrim on the north coast of Northern Ireland, about three miles (4.8 km) northeast of the town of Bushmills.
It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986 and a national nature reserve by the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland in 1987. In a 2005 poll of Radio Times readers, the Giant's Causeway was named the fourth-greatest natural wonder in the United Kingdom.
The tops of the columns form stepping stones that lead from the cliff foot and disappear under the sea. Most of the columns are hexagonal, although some have four, five, seven, or eight sides. The tallest are approximately 12 metres (39 ft) high, and the solidified lava in the cliffs is 28 metres (92 ft) thick in places.
Much of the Giant's Causeway and Causeway Coast World Heritage Site is owned and managed by the National Trust. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Northern Ireland, receiving nearly one million visitors in 2019. Access to the Giant's Causeway is free of charge: it is not necessary to go via the visitor centre that charges a fee. The remainder of the site is owned by the Crown Estate and several private landowners.
