Key facts
- The Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland was formed by intense volcanic activity.
- This geological event occurred approximately 60 million years ago.
- The formation process took 5.5 million years, a revision from previous estimates.
- The volcanic activity is linked to a significant global geological event.
- Similar basalt columns in Scotland, such as Fingal's Cave, are now understood to be contemporaneous.
Scientists have revealed that the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was formed by intense volcanic activity approximately 60 million years ago, rather than by the legendary Irish giant Finn McCool. New research indicates the formation of the 40,000 distinctive interlocking basalt columns occurred over 5.5 million years, a shorter period than previously estimated.