Orkney & Shetland

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.

Arhipelagele Orkney si Shetland sunt produsele unora dintre cele mai dramatice evenimente care au avut loc in istoria Pamantului. Shetlands sunt radacinile erodate ale unui vast lant muntos care odata se ridica pana la inaltimile Himalaya si se extindea din Scandinavia pana in Apalasi. Cu aproximativ 65 de milioane de ani in urma, acest lant puternic a fost divizat prin deplasarea placilor tectonice ale Pamantului si s-a format Oceanul Atlantic de Nord.