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Geopark Research

Fossil Wind
22 Feb
Fossil Wind

There are three main rock types; Igneous rocks which are formed from molten magma from the Earth’s interior that has cooled, Sedimentary rocks which are formed from particles (sediments); bits …

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Mass Extinction
15 Feb
Mass Extinction

The spectacular end of most dinosaurs around 65 million years ago due to the impact of a large asteroid is now widely accepted by scientists and even a possible site …

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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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Lough Garrig
10 Jan
The smallest Lake in Ireland is in the Burren.

Sitting on top of Slieve Elva at an elevation of almost 330m is a tiny pond of water called Lough Garrig. Only a couple of metres across, it is barely …

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History in water flowing through the Burren
16 Dec
History in water flowing through the Burren

FRESH water is vital for life, and our position in the solar system means that our planet has plenty of the good stuff. Fresh water has played a huge role …

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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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