Erratic Rocks

Glacial Erratic
9 Feb
Erratic Rocks

A notable feature of the exposed rock of the Burren are the large boulders that sit on top of the limestone. Some of the best examples are seen along the …

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Our Fossil Roots
1 Feb
Our Fossil Roots

In sandstone rocks along the wild Atlantic coast of west Clare we find excellent examples of a fossil called Stigmaria. These are elongate, cylindrical or flattened structures with a surface …

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The Story of the Burren - Moher Flagstones - Fossils
9 Dec
Geological footprints leave elegant pattern

Justifiably famous for their elegant patterns, Moher flags have been quarried along the west coast of Clare for centuries. The thin, rigid slabs were ideal for roofing in times past but …

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Sand Volcano
1 Dec
When is a volcano, not a volcano? When it is a sand volcano?

Along our coast from Doolin to the Shannon Estuary there are a few nice examples of sand volcanoes. Sand volcanoes are low conical mounds, often with a shallow central depression, …

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Stress Release in the Burren
26 Nov
Stress Release in the Burren

One of the most striking features of the Burren are the vertical cracks or fissures in the limestone. They are known as ‘grikes’ although I prefer the local term ‘Scealps’. …

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The Science of Dating Rocks at Lisdoonvarna, County Clare.
9 Nov
The Science of Dating Rocks at Lisdoonvarna, County Clare.

There are two main ways to know the age of a rock; the first is to identify the fossils and compare them with other layers in different places that have …

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