General - Basalt Columns

So this is a pretty esoteric topic for an album! But look how beautiful they are. Everyone knows about the Giant's Causeway* in Northern Ireland, but basalt columns can also be found at Staffa in Scotland (Fingal's Cave of Mendelssohn fame), and at many sites in Iceland, where they have also inspired some of the famous architecture - see images. The Giant's Causeway was formed 50-60 million years ago, as molten magma intruded through chalk beds and slowly cooled and crystallised - presumably the others were similarly formed. I have just added some images from the spectacular Symphony of the Stones at Garni, in Armenia. Fascinating stuff! (* = UNESCO World Heritage Site)