The Giant’s Causeway is one of the most unusual sights in Northern Ireland. This geologic wonder features thousands of interlocking basalt columns that look almost man-made.
This quiz looks at the science behind the volcanic rock, the mythical Irish giant Finn McCool, and the ancient geology of the area.
After completing this, enjoy our trivia about natural wonders, explore scenic mountains and landscapes, or read about coastal islands and beaches.
In which county of Northern Ireland is the Giant’s Causeway located?
County Antrim
County Antrim
County Down
County Down
County Fermanagh
County Fermanagh
County Armagh
County Armagh
What type of volcanic rock primarily makes up the columns of the Giant’s Causeway?
Sandstone
Sandstone
Granite
Granite
Basalt
Basalt
Limestone
Limestone
According to legend, which giant built the causeway to reach Scotland?
Brian Boru
Brian Boru
Cuchulainn
Cuchulainn
Finn McCool
Finn McCool
Oisin
Oisin
In what year was the Giant’s Causeway designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site?
1990
1990
1982
1982
1994
1994
1986
1986
While shapes vary, what is the most common cross-section shape found among the thousands of columns at the site?
Eight-sided (Octagonal)
Eight-sided (Octagonal)
Five-sided (Pentagonal)
Five-sided (Pentagonal)
Six-sided (Hexagonal)
Six-sided (Hexagonal)
Four-sided
Four-sided
What was the name of the Scottish giant that Finn McCool was planning to fight?
Ymir
Ymir
Atlas
Atlas
Benandonner
Benandonner
Thor
Thor
The Giant’s Causeway overlooks which body of water?
The North Sea
The North Sea
The Irish Sea
The Irish Sea
The Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean
The Celtic Sea
The Celtic Sea
Geologists estimate the volcanic activity that formed the columns occurred during which geological period?
The Carboniferous Period
The Carboniferous Period
The Tertiary Period
The Tertiary Period
The Jurassic Period
The Jurassic Period
The Cretaceous Period
The Cretaceous Period
In the legend, who disguised Finn McCool as a baby to trick the incoming Scottish giant?
His nephew, Cian
His nephew, Cian
His foster-father, Bodhmall
His foster-father, Bodhmall
His brother, Fergus
His brother, Fergus
His wife, Oonagh
His wife, Oonagh
What physical process caused the basalt to form into distinct columns?
Human stonemasons in ancient times
Human stonemasons in ancient times
Tidal erosion over centuries
Tidal erosion over centuries
Cooling and contraction of lava flows
Cooling and contraction of lava flows
Massive earthquake shifts
Massive earthquake shifts
Which Northern Irish town is the closest settlement to the Giant’s Causeway?
Bushmills
Bushmills
Coleraine
Coleraine
Portrush
Portrush
Ballycastle
Ballycastle
What is the name of the iconic, towering formation of vertical columns at the site?
The Throne
The Throne
The Shield
The Shield
The Harp
The Harp
The Pipe Organ
The Pipe Organ
What is the mythological explanation for the existence of the causeway?
They are the remains of a bridge to Scotland
They are the remains of a bridge to Scotland
They were carved by ancient limestone quarrying
They were carved by ancient limestone quarrying
They were built by glaciers
They were built by glaciers
They were formed by high-pressure underwater vents
They were formed by high-pressure underwater vents
How does the geological theory of ‘columnar jointing’ explain the shape of the columns?
Lava flows cracking as they cooled and contracted
Lava flows cracking as they cooled and contracted
Pressure from heavy ice sheets during the Ice Age
Pressure from heavy ice sheets during the Ice Age
Chemical reactions with saltwater
Chemical reactions with saltwater
Wind erosion forcing the rock into geometric shapes
Wind erosion forcing the rock into geometric shapes
How did the legend explain the Scottish giant’s decision to flee back to Scotland?
Finn challenged him to a swimming race
Finn challenged him to a swimming race
Oonagh baked stone-filled bread for Benandonner
Oonagh baked stone-filled bread for Benandonner
Finn locked him in a tower
Finn locked him in a tower
They met at a neutral banquet site
They met at a neutral banquet site
Approximately how many individual basalt columns make up the Giant’s Causeway?
30,000
30,000
40,000
40,000
50,000
50,000
60,000
60,000
The volcanic activity that created the causeway was part of the formation of which larger geological feature?
The Glens of Antrim
The Glens of Antrim
The Mourne Mountains
The Mourne Mountains
The Antrim Plateau
The Antrim Plateau
The Sperrin Mountains
The Sperrin Mountains
What is the ‘Giant’s Boot’ in relation to the site?
A giant’s walking stick found near the shore
A giant’s walking stick found near the shore
A stone boot-shaped formation
A stone boot-shaped formation
A red shoe found among the rocks
A red shoe found among the rocks
A very large carving of a human foot in the cliffside
A very large carving of a human foot in the cliffside
Geological evidence suggests the basalt flows occurred approximately how long ago?
40 million years ago
40 million years ago
100 million years ago
100 million years ago
60 million years ago
60 million years ago
80 million years ago
80 million years ago
Which organization manages the Giant’s Causeway site today?
The National Trust
The National Trust
The local government of Bushmills
The local government of Bushmills
UNESCO
UNESCO
The Northern Ireland Environment Agency
The Northern Ireland Environment Agency
Which Scottish island contains similar basalt columns, famously cited in myths as the other end of the causeway?
Orkney
Orkney
Staffa
Staffa
Arran
Arran
Skye
Skye
What is the name of the famous sea cave located on the island containing the matching basalt columns?
The Giant’s Hearth
The Giant’s Hearth
The Devil’s Pulpit
The Devil’s Pulpit
The Merlin’s Cove
The Merlin’s Cove
Fingal’s Cave
Fingal’s Cave
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