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New Timeline Reveals Rapid Formation of Giant’s CausewayResearchers from the British Geological Survey (BGS) and the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland have established that the iconic basalt columns were created in a much shorter window than previously thought—approximately 5.5 million years, cutting 8 million years off earlier estimates. Geochronologists Pinpoint a Global Volcanic EventUsing high‑precision dating techniques, the team linked the Causeway’s lava flows to a "major globally impacting volcanic event" that left signatures as far away as Greenland. The same volcanic pulse also produced the basalt columns at Fingal’s Cave (Scotland), rocks on the Mourne range, and magmatic activity on Skye, Rùm and the Faroe Islands. Quantifying the Timescale: 5.5 Million Years vs Prior EstimatesPrevious estimate: ~13.5 million yearsNew estimate: 5.5 million yearsReduction: 8 million yearsMethod: U‑Pb zircon dating and high‑resolution geochronology Repercussions for North Atlantic Tectonics and Heritage SitesThe findings suggest that before the event, the crust of present‑day Greenland was attached to the northern UK. The volcanic episode coincided with the initial opening of the North Atlantic Sea, reshaping plate‑boundary models for the region. For heritage managers, the tighter timeline emphasizes the fragility of the UNESCO‑listed site and its broader geological context. Future Research Directions and Global Geological CorrelationsLead geochronologist Dr Simon Tapster notes that the new high‑resolution timeline will enable scientists to match volcanic signatures across the Inner Hebrides, Mull, Rum, Skye, Greenland and the Faroe Islands. Ongoing work aims to refine the duration of the volcanic pulse and explore its climatic impacts during the early Pliocene.

The Growing Threat of Climate-Related Subsidence Millions of homes are at risk from climate-related subsidence, according to an analysis by the British Geological Survey (BGS). As hotter, drier summers driven by global heating become more frequent, the ground under houses can shrink and drag down a property’s foundations. Most Vulnerable Areas The most vulnerable areas include London, Essex, Kent and a tranche of land from Oxford up to the Wash on England’s east coast, according to scientists, who say mitigation measures will be needed. The Data Analysis By 2070, about 500,000 properties could be affected under a low emissions scenario aligned to the Paris climate agreement. This rises to more than 1.8m properties under a medium scenario, closest to current global emissions trajectories. The Impact Analysis Subsidence can substantially reduce a property’s value and lenders will often refuse to offer mortgages until it has been resolved. Signs include diagonal cracks around window and door frames, as well as sloping floors. It can require engineering work to stabilise land or underpin a property. The Prediction Highly populated parts of London including Camden, Islington and Barnet are most susceptible, as well as Kent in the south-east of England. Under the medium emissions scenario, the number of properties likely to be affected in the capital will exceed 26% by 2070.