- Slieve Gallion
Infobox Mountain
Name=Slieve Gallion
Location =County Londonderry ,Northern Ireland
Elevation=convert|528|m|ft
Photo= Slieve Gallion.jpg
Photo size=250px
pushpin_
latd=54.73
longd=-6.76
Caption=View from the eastern peak - convert|496|m|ft
Prominence =
Topographic
OSNI "Discoverer" 13
Grid_ref_Ireland=H8188
Listing=Marilyn
Translation=Mountain of the heights
Language=IrishSlieve Gallion derive|Irish|Sliabh gCallann|mountain of the heights,cite web|url=http://mountainviews.ie/mv/index.php?mtnindex=398|title=Slieve Gallion|publisher="Mountain Views" |accessdate=2008-05-17] is a
mountain inCounty Londonderry ,Northern Ireland . By road, it is convert|4|mi|km fromMoneymore , convert|8|mi|km fromCookstown , and convert|8|mi|km fromMagherafelt . It is the eastern limit of theSperrin Mountains range. It has 2 peaks: the southwestern peak at Glenarudda Mountain and Tintagh Mountain reaches a height of convert|528|m|ft, and is the 397th highest peak inIreland ; the northeastern peak reaches a height of convert|496|m|ft, and is the 469th highest peak in Ireland; it is also the furthest-east mountain-top in the Sperrins.cite web|url=http://mountainviews.ie/mv/index.php?PHPSESSID=c147f83f628b06f3e88c3db47dfc5e00&mtnindex=470|title=Slieve Gallion NE Top|publisher="Mountain Views"|accessdate=2008-05-17] The southwestern peak is in Cookstown District, and the northeastern peak is in Magherafelt District. [OS Discoverer Series 13]Nature
Slieve Gallion is a
volcanic plug .cite web|url=http://www.ehsni.gov.uk/landscape/country_landscape/41/41-land.htm|title=Environment & Heritage Service - Slieve Gallion Landscape|accessdate=2008-05-17|publisher="Environment and Heritage Service "] The mountain is formed from volcanic-derivedigneous rock, and alsogranite on the southern slopes. It is steep, and has a flat top. There is atelecommunications mast on the northeastern summit. To the west, the landscape consists ofblanket bog andconiferous forest ; most of the trees in the Slieve Gallion area areSitka spruce .cite web|url=http://www.ehsni.gov.uk/landscape/country_landscape/41/41-bio.htm|title=Environment & Heritage Service - Slieve Gallion Biodiversity Profile|accessdate=2008-05-17|publisher="Environment and Heritage Service "] There are alsolodgepole pine trees, as well asoak towards the south of the area. Animal species living in the area include theIrish hare (a sub-species of themountain hare [cite web|url=http://www.peatlandsni.gov.uk/wildlife/mammals/irish_hare.htm|title=Irish hare (Lepus timidus hibernicus)|accessdate=2008-05-17|publisher="Environment and Heritage Service "] ), thecurlew , and thered grouse . Theotter can also be found around nearby rivers. Slieve Gallion is classed by the Northern Ireland Planning Service as an area of "High Scenic Value". [cite web|url=http://www.planningni.gov.uk/AreaPlans_Policy/Plans/Magherafelt/draft_plan/03countryside1_pfv.htm|title=Drafy Magherafelt Area Plan 2015|accessdate=2008-05-16|publisher="Planning Service NI]History
Peat formed at Slieve Gallion in the early
Holocene period, around 10,000 years ago.cite web|url=http://www.habitas.org.uk/escr/summary.asp?item=105|title=Slieve Gallion Londonderry|accessdate=2008-05-17|date=2003|publisher="National Museums and Galleries of Northern Ireland"] Theradiocarbon dating of pollen has shown that there were plants in the area 10,000 years ago. 7,000 ago, the number of alder trees steeply increased. In recent decades, there has been an increase in the number of sheep grazing in the area, as well as an increase inmountain biking , contributing to erosion.References
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