Giant Curb: Meet Irish Costa Geological Enigen
A geographical structure on the coast of Ireland attracts thousands of shows, as well as researchers, in Antrim County, 32 km from the national capital, Belfast.
The hexagonal shape and over 40,000 stones, which are finely distributed, are frustrated by the sea, as they are carefully carved with human hands.
Called Large trailThe columns up to 12 meters high are the subject of research, trying to understand how they emerge.
How the giant trail was formed
The giant sidewalk is part of a group of volcanic rocks known as the Antrim Lavas Group, dated 60 million years ago (about 60 million years ago). It is mainly accompanied by basalt, the dark rock of the volcanic origin.
Although there are similar structures in places like Iceland and Scotland, the giant trail is considered the most extensive and well -life.
The name of the columns originates in the local mythology, which attributes its creation as a large called Finn McCol, which built the sidewalk to cross the sea and fight with a Scottish opponent.
Scholars have observed stone structure for 400 years. In 1963, Sir Richard submitted a survey to an Irish politician named Balkily, a Royal Society Geographical structure.
In the later centuries, especially in the 18th century, paintings, engraving and other articles were produced. Most of them can be found on Google Scholar.
The lava filled with the old river valley (dug river bed) is believed to be the giant sidewalk as a result of slow cooling.
When lava, when cooling, is compressed in the vertical columns with the hexagonal geometric shapes, and the cracks are called the “column jet” in the process.
However, in 2021, the geologist Michael J. The recent study by Sims has proposed a new explanation.
Instead of filing the faded valley, the giant trail washed in the sinking area shortly before the eruption – this phenomenon is called “subsidy”.
This frustration in the soil caused by the fall of underground reservoir Volcanic magma.
According to the study, this subsidence took place very quickly, there is not enough time for water, sediment or erosion to change the area before occupying the lava flow space.
The result is a very thick basalt layer that leads to geometric columns that appear today.
Even in the area where the scientific article of Sims is studying as a giant trail, there is still space for surprising innovations. This research includes detailed field observations on the peaks and rocks near the sea and mapping of basalt layers.
The effects of human action
In 1986, the giant trail was declared a UNESCO natural world heritage. In addition, it has a special scientific interested area in the United Kingdom and a visitor center focused on environmental and geographical education.
Global Recognition is not only legally protecting this place but also helping financial help to conservation measures and scientific research in the area. This effort is essential as tourist influence has increased in the region in recent decades.
Although tourism activities are important to the local economy, it also imposes challenges on the protection of the region.
One of the most visible effects is that the accumulation of coins deposited between the pillars of the pillars who order or follow the good lucky traditions.
Although it seems to be dangerous, this habit affects the chemical composition of the soil and damage living there and causing stones wear Oxidation of metals.
Other complications are so high compression by riding, rapid incision and insufficient waste disposal.
To deal with these problems, the Dos Giant Visitors Center has implemented the border paths, educational panels and environmental awareness measures.
