Globally significant volcanic event formed Giant’s Causeway, scientists find

<p>Geochronologists say Antrim coastline’s basalt columns developed over 5.5m years – 8m less than thought</p><p>For centuries, the tale has been passed from generation to generation: how the Irish giant Finn McCool built the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland to fight Benandonner, his Scottish rival, by hurling chunks of the Antrim coastline into the sea.</p><p>Now, scientists have revealed it was intense volcanic activity during a “major globally impacting volcanic event” – and not a legendary battle between two destructive giants – that led to the formation of the coastline’s 40,000 distinctive interlocking basalt columns <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/apr/12/scientists-solve-mystery-of-how-giants-causeway-was-formed">about 60m years ago</a>.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/jun/15/globally-significant-volcanic-event-giants-causeway-scientists">Continue reading...</a>