Physics World

Physicists crack mystery of the spectacular stones of the Giant’s Causeway

Craic on: was the Giant's Causeway formed by collective cracking? The formation of the spectacular hexagonal stone columns at Ireland’s Giant’s Causeway and similar structures around the world can be ...
Houston Chronicle

Why does nature create patterns? A physicist explains the molecular-level processes behind crystals, stripes and basalt columns

(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.) Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like ...
Mental Floss

Ireland Begs Tourists to Stop Wedging Coins Into the Giant’s Causeway

Northern Ireland is home to the Giant’s Causeway, a collection of about 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns that protrude from the North Atlantic Ocean and lead up to the foot of a cliff. The UNESCO World ...
Wired

How Do Volcanoes Create Towering Columns in Rock?

Columns can form in a variety of patterns, mainly hexagonal (but can be found with anywhere from 4-8 sides). They can vary in size from only a few centimeters to meters across. They form when a thick ...
Sacramento Bee

‘Geological wonder’ in seafloor canyon off Hawaii resembles a wall of sunken columns

This collection of basalt columns was recorded in a canyon north of Molokai, at a depth of just over a mile, according to Nautilus Live Ocean Exploration Trust. YouTube video screengrab Newly recorded ...