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Roofing - 6mm Perma-Frost White Chippings
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Specialist Aggregates Ltd Marine Arts
Basalt Columns - They just don't add up
Thursday 16 May, 2013
News Brief

Theories on the origin of Basalt Columns stretch the imagination

Full Story:

Prior to the advent of the spread sheet, unless you were an architect or a geologist it was unlikely that columns were part of your everyday vocabulary.

For any budding earth scientist or outdoor enthusiast a visit to the classic columnar basalt sites of Giants Causeway in Northern Ireland or Fingals Cave on Staffa off the West Coast of Scotland is a "must". But how were these regular (predominantly) hexagonal columns formed? The popular literature duplicates notions of rapid cooling of molten basalt, perhaps under water, in lakes or coastal environments, possibly in restricted river valleys, whilst more detailed studies take a contrary view claiming that cooling occurs slowly from the base, or the base and the top, perhaps associated with the ingress of water or even influenced by shock waves from succeeding earthquakes. But I just don't get it, where else in our everyday lives do we see materials "setting" and forming into hexagonal shaped columns?

Take water and cool it - ice forms as a solid block, molten metals cool and crystallise, resins and even blancmange "set" but again no columns.

Visit the Giants Causeway, or take the magical boat trip to Fingals Cave and make up your own mind as to how these astonishing structures were formed. Once you think you understand visit the phenomenal coastal section south of Arnarstapi on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula on Western Iceland and I promise you will have to think again!

Our images show classic vertical columns ( Icelandic - Studlaberg) on the beach section at Arnarstapi, together with massive basalt columns exposed in a spectacular blow hole in the same area. Theories on the method of formation are severely challenged with these horizontal columns (rows?), perhaps it's time stop speculating, get the flask out and enjoy the view.

Whilst the geological phenomena has been the inspiration for Hallgrimskirka and the National Theatre in Reykjavik. Unfortunately we do not have any basalt columns for sale, however, we supply black basalt chippings for landscaping projects and driveway surfacing - use the link below to explore.

Extra Information:

For more information, please visit this related link:  Buy Basalt Chippings.



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Basalt Columns - They just don't add up
Basalt Columns - They just don't add up
Basalt Columns - They just don't add up
Basalt Columns - They just don't add up
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