Old Maps and Dead Clams Help Solve Coastal Boulder Mystery

Old Maps and Dead Clams Help Solve Coastal Boulder Mystery

Old Maps and Dead Clams Help Solve Coastal Boulder Mystery

This is an interesting geology mystery that they may be getting closer to solving. On top of a 36 foot high vertical cliff on the coast of Ireland is a tabular bedrock formation. Giant boulders of this material have been pushed inland at a rate as high as 1 foot per year and initial research indicated it would have to be a Tsunami to move them. But Ireland hasn’t had a Tsunami since 1755. Evaluation of historic maps prepared by surveyors and carbon dating of tiny clams in the crevices of the rock indicate that the movement has indeed been happening in the past 60 years, indicating that storm waves are causing the movement. Time to refine the models I guess. [Source: UChicago.edu via Geology.com. Image: UChicago.edu]