Mountains Ireland was once located in a very different geographical position to where it is today. One half of Ireland was connected to a landmass near North America, and the other half was connected to a landmass further south. Continental drift (as explained in Chapter 1) pulled these continents apart.
During the later Caledonian folding period, the two continents collided again and the two parts of ‘Ireland’ finally fused together. This collision resulted in the formation of the Dublin–Wicklow fold mountains.
Question Time 1. Outline how fold mountains are formed.
2. Draw a labelled diagram of a fold mountain. On your sketch, show and label the following: (a) Anticline, (b) Syncline, (c) Folds.
3. Name the three major periods of fold mountain formation.
4. During which folding period were the Dublin–Wicklow Mountains formed?
5. Name one range of fold mountains found in Ireland and one found outside of Ireland.
Now current position Ireland's Equator
290 million years ago
Ireland moves above the equator. Communicating
Working in pairs, track Ireland’s movement in the images shown in figure 4. Where do you think Ireland might be in another 100 million years?
440 million years ago
Landmass 1 Equator
410 million years ago
Landmass 2
Landmasses collide to form Ireland. The Dublin–Wicklow Mountains are formed.
Equator
Equator
To watch an animation on the movement of the landmass of Ireland, go to YouTube and search for ‘Ireland on the move – Wilson Jim’ (1:05).