Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast

Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast

Immovable Culture Heritage

The Giant’s causeway is the site of over 40,000 basalt columns protruding from the sea, all of which present viewers with a dramatic example of natural heritage in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The columns are the most characteristic feature of the site and are formed into regularly shaped polygonal columns of basalt in horizontal sections. The features of the Giant’s causeway and the causeway coast, and in particular the composition of the cliff faces, have made the site one of substantial geological importance as it provides insight into the sequences of the earth’s geological activity and history. In addition, the dramatic nature of the site has led to local legends and narratives of giants walking over the sea to Scotland. Consequently, the site may be said to be culturally important in another dimension – contributing to the intangible cultural heritage of Northern Ireland where it is seen as a national symbol. Climate change has adversely impacted the causeway through rising water levels and coastal erosion. If current climate trends continue it is projected that many of the columnar stones will be underwater by the middle of the century.

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Naveen

Site

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02/05/2023

Beament, E., (2021) “Climate change 'could result in landslides' at Giant's Causeway”, Belfast Telegraph, 5th March [Online]. Available at https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/climate-change-could-result-in-landslides-at-giants causeway/40160536.html#:~:text=The%20car%20park%20has%20been,such%20as%20the%20Giant's%20Causeway (Accessed 2nd May 2023).

cm x cm x cm

current,55.240823129801186,-6.511575270041409;

The National Trust

Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/northern-ireland/giants-causeway

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Building

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The National Trust

1

ns248@st-andrews.ac.uk