The smooth limestone table began to weather into a fissured pavement known as clints and grikes. There was no topsoil, no trees, and very little fresh water, because the rainfall plunged underground. The Burren bedrock is riddled with cave systems and perhaps these will one day be discovered on the Aran Islands.

The treeless landscape of the Aran Islands in 2026 is the result of both geology and human history. Geologically, the islands are an extension of the Burren’s karst limestone pavement. The soil is incredibly thin—often only a few centimeters deep—making it nearly impossible for deep-rooted trees to gain a foothold against the fierce, salt-laden Atlantic winds. Historically, the few native woodlands that did exist were cleared centuries ago for fuel and building materials by early settlers. Once the protective canopy was gone, the thin topsoil was easily eroded by rain and wind. To survive, islanders famously created "man-made" soil by layering seaweed and sand over the bare rock. While there are 2026 community initiatives to plant hardy, sheltered groves near villages like Kilronan on Inishmore, the vast majority of the islands remain a rugged, rocky expanse where stone walls provide the only significant barrier against the elements.