Ireland's Landscape

Between 400 million and 300 million years ago, Ireland sank beneath a warm, calcium-rich sea. During this time many coral reefs were formed underwater creating the limestone that makes up about 65 percent of the rock mantle on the island. When the waters diminished, many forests and swamps were able to flourish.

The limestone is covered with glacial deposits of clay and sand, typically found in the lowlands with bogs and lakes. The southern mountains of Ireland are composed of red sandstone and limestone in the river valleys. In the North and West regions of the island mountains are composed of mainly granite. In the east many plateau's are formed from basalt, which is a type of volcanic rock.

The Burren, located in the Mid-West portion of Ireland is known for it's unusual abundance of limestone and bedrock, with little or no soil in the inner most areas of the island.

                                               Mountains, Lakes, and Rivers throughout Ireland