How plate tectonics impacted the Irish landscape

Question 1

Theory of plate tectonics

Answer 1

The theory of plate tectonics states that the earth is broken into a series of sections called plates.
These plates Slide on top of the asthenosphere.
Tectonic referee to the movement of these plates.
They move by convection currents.
As magma rises in the mantle, it cools, flows sideways and falls.

Question 2

Fold mountains and Caledonian orogeny

Answer 2

In relation to the Irish landscape, plate tectonics has a major influence.
400 million years ago, during the Caledonian Orogeny, the North American and Eurasian plates collided due to plate tectonics.
They formed the Caledonian Mountains which can be seen in Leinster, Connacht and Ulster.
The pressure from the colliding plates caused magma to rise beneath the plates.
This magma cooled to form Igneous rocks like granite.
Some sedimentary rocks turned into metamorphic rocks like marble due to the heat.
These metamorphic rocks formed a protective cap on the peaks of mountains like the Sugarloaf Co.Wicklow.

Question 3

Effect of weathering and erosion

Answer 3

Because the Caledonian mountains are the Oldest, they’re also the smallest due to weathering and erosion.
Having move stood at 4,000m most Caledonian peaks are between 600m and 400m in height.