"Visual tourists at the acclaimed Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland are being implored to discontinue the practice of inserting coins into the historic stones"
Over 600,000 tourists visit Northern Ireland's Giant's Causeway annually, marveling at the iconic hiking route along the rugged coastline. However, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is suffering from a detrimental practice: visitors inserting coins into the basalt columns, a habit that is causing irreversible damage.
Similar to the infamous act of leaving padlocks on Paris' Pont des Arts bridge, tourists seem to be replicating this trend at the Giant's Causeway. This copycat behavior is altering the natural aesthetics of the rocks, one of Northern Ireland's most recognized natural treasures.
The National Trust, the organization responsible for managing the site, is advocating for visitors to "leave no trace." The coins are leaving unsightly stains on the rocks and contributing to their crumbling.
Dr. Cliff Henry, a nature engagement officer with the National Trust, explained the geological repercussions. When coins are lodged in the cracks and joints, oxidation causes them to expand to three times their original size, putting immense pressure on the surrounding basalt. As a result, the rocks crack and disintegrate. Furthermore, the coins' oxidation process produces copper, nickel, and iron oxides, discoloring the stone.
Worryingly, Heny revealed that visitors are using stones from the ground as hammers to force the coins into the cracks, sometimes damaging the rock itself.
Due to the need to remove the coins, the National Trust anticipates costs exceeding £30,000 ($40,500).
The Giant's Causeway, on the Atlantic coast, was formed about 60 million years ago as basalt lava flowed, creating the distinctive interlocking column structures we see today. Although some believe it was formed by Finn McCool, the Irish giant, geological evidence tells a different story.
The damage caused by coin insertion has prompted the National Trust to encourage visitors to respect the site and resist the urge to leave mementos. "Many visitors cherish the Giant's Causeway, often forming deep connections to this unique landscape," Henry said. "We understand some may want to leave a memento, but the coins are causing harm, and we urge people to stop this practice and leave no trace, ensuring this natural wonder remains special for future generations."
The National Trust's campaign to protect the Giant's Causeway is in line with the principles of the "Leave No Trace" initiative. Originating in Colorado, this initiative offers practical solutions to preserve the environment, particularly in sensitive areas such as the Giant's Causeway. The principles include leaving what is found untouched, respecting wildlife, and being considerate of other visitors.
Visitors leaving coins embedded in the basalt columns of the Giant's Causeway, a protected environmental-science site, are causing irreversible damage to this UNESCO World Heritage Site and its natural aesthetics. To combat this issue, Dr. Cliff Henry, a nature engagement officer with the National Trust, encourages adherence to the "Leave No Trace" initiative, underlining the importance of respecting the site's home-and-garden-like appearance and limiting lifestyle practices that harm the environment.
