Orkney Shetland: Landscapes in Stone [Paperback]

Orkney & Shetlandreveals how cataclysmic earth processes shaped northern Britains landscapes and life.The archipelagos of Orkney and Shetland are the products of some of the most dramatic events which have occurred in the Earths 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 Earths 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.The archipelagos of Orkney and Shetland are the products of some of the most dramatic events which have occurred in the Earths 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.Alan McKirdys insights are valuable because he is the author of a string of accessible and informative short illustrated books on the geological history of Scotland'Not only are they a wealth of information on Scotland's past, they offer valuable insight as Scotlands future becomes increasingly uncertain due to climate change'GB