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The archipelagos of Orkney and Shetland are the products of some of the most dramatic events which have occurred in the Earth's history.
The Shetlands are the eroded roots of a vast mountain range that once soared to Himalayan heights and extended from Scandinavia to the Appalachians. Around 65 million years ago, this mighty chain was split asunder by the shifting of the Earth's tectonic plates, and the North Atlantic Ocean was formed. In earlier times, the area was occupied by a huge freshwater lake - Lake Orcadie - which existed for almost 10 million years and was home to a wide range of primitive species of fish. Later, during the last Ice Age, the area was completely submerged beneath ice sheets which left an indelible mark on the landscapes of both island groups.
This book tells the incredible geological story of the most northerly outposts of the British Isles.
A propos de l'auteur
Alan McKirdy has written many popular books and book chapters on geology and related topics and has helped to promote the study of environmental geology in Scotland. He is the author of Set in Stone: The Geology and Landscapes of Scotland and before his retirement he was Head of Knowledge and Information Management at Scottish Natural Heritage. He is now a freelance writer and has given many talks on Scottish geology and landscapes at book festivals and other events across the country. He is the author of the Landscapes in Stone series on Scotland's geology.
Résumé
The archipelagos of Orkney and Shetland are the products of some of the most dramatic events which have occurred in the Earth’s history. Written for the non-specialist and featuring stunning photographs and diagrams, this book tells the incredible geological story of the most northerly outposts of the British Isles.
