Do Now: How do the following 2 images differ? Be specific.

Learning Objective: I will be able to explain how and why landscapes of NYS vary.

Success Criteria: 1) I can identify landscapes on a map. 2) I can use the ESRT to explain the age of rocks in NYS. 4) I can explain how and why landscapes vary in NYS.

Landscapes of New York State

What is a Plain? An unraised flat area. Gradual slope. Fertile soil…good for agriculture Also called lowlands

Atlantic Coastal Plain: Fire Island is a barrier island on the South Side of Long Island. Glacial Outwash and Deposition from Ocean Processes.

Atlantic Coastal Plain: Glacial outwash and deposition from Ocean Processes, unsorted deposits as seen at Montauk State Park.

Hudson-Mohawk Lowlands: The Hudson River, seen here is in the Hudson-Mohawk region. About a foot deep, the river will run south to New York Harbor.

St. Lawrence Lowlands: The Thousand Islands is an area in the St. Lawrence Lowlands. The islands are very small as evidenced by this picture.

Erie-Ontario Lowlands: Limestones, shales, sandstones and conglomerates dominate this low lying area. It is about 100 meters lower than the Allegheny Plateau.

What is a Plateau? Raised area of land with a flat top. Rises abruptly from the surrounding area.

Allegheny Plateau: The area of the southern tier is formed chiefly by glaciers. In the background is one of the Finger Lakes. The geology is of sedimentary rock.

Hudson Highlands: Intensely metamorphic bedrock formed one billion years ago. The Hudson is seen at center.

Tug Hill Plateau: Region of mostly sedimentary rock; limestone, shale, sandstone and dolostone. These rocks were formed during the Ordovician Period.

What is Mountain? High elevation Rise abruptly from the ground. Pointed surface

Adirondack Mountains: Indian Lake looking at the high peaks. Once ancient mountains are now increasing in height by uplift. The rocks were metamorphosed about one billion years ago and are some of the oldest rocks on the planet.

Watkins Glen is a deep, winding canyon near the town of Watkins Glen in the Finger Lakes region of New York. Glen Creek passes through layers of sandstone, shale, and limestone, and creates numerous waterfalls.

The Catskills: Part of the southern plateau, the Catskills are one of New York’s most famous resort areas. The Catskills are the remains of a delta.

Kaaterskill Falls at right is the highest waterfalls in New York State Kaaterskill Falls at right is the highest waterfalls in New York State. The weaker shale has eroded away while the stronger, more resistant sandstone hangs above. See the hiker below for scale.

Letchworth State Park: This park is at the landscape boundary between Allegheny Plateau and the Erie-Ontario Lowlands. Notice the horizontal strata at the right.

Newark Lowlands: This is a view of the Palisades Intrusion 206 mya at the end of the Triassic Period.

Hudson: The Hudson, seen at its widest point looking south. New York City, its end, is seen. The Hudson meets the Atlantic at New York Harbor.

Manhattan Prong: Intensely metamorphic bedrock. The exposed bedrock is a result of glaciation. The small rocky hills seen here are typical of this landscape.

Hooper’s Mine is rich in garnet, a mineral produced from metamorphism.

Bear Mountain: Granulite, a metamorphic rock of granite. The exposed material is a result of glaciation. Notice the darker area, as a result of weathering.

Summary: Success Criteria Recap 1) I can identify landscapes on a map. 2) I can use the ESRT to explain the age of rocks in NYS. 4) I can explain how and why landscapes vary in NYS.