Geography
New Jersey is either the 4th smallest state or the 47th largest state depending on your perspective. Regardless, New Jersey is occupied by 4 main land regions; the Atlantic Coastal Plain, the Piedmont, the New England Upland, and the Appalachian Ridge and Valley Region.The largest land area, the Atlantic Coastal Plain, covers the southern 3/5 of New Jersey. More than half of this area, characterized by gently rolling hills, is less than 100 feet above sea level. In the east the landscape consists of pine forests and salt marshes. Closer to the Atlantic coast, the salt marshes are more plentiful and shallow lagoons and meadows characterize the area. Along the coast lie New Jersey's resort areas; including Atlantic City, Ocean City, and Cape May. In the west and southwest, along the Delaware River, the fertile soil supports farming.
The Piedmont lies northeast of the Atlantic Coastal Plain. About 20 miles wide, this area covers only about 1/5 of the state. The Piedmont includes the industrial cities of Elizabeth, Patterson, Jersey City, and Newark. New Jersey's major rivers (Hudson River, Passaic River, Remapo River, Raritan River) are found in this area supporting the industrial development.
West of the Peidmont is the New England Upland. This area, sometimes called The Highlands, includes flat-topped ridges of rock and extends into Pennsylvania and New York. This area is characterized by the many beautiful lakes nestled among the ridges.
In the northwest corner of the state is the Appalachian Ridge and Valley Region. This mountainous area includes the Kittatinny Mountains that run parallel to New Jersey's northwestern border. The Delaware Water Gap is where the Delaware River has cut through the Kittatinny Mountains. The wide Appalachian Valley lies southeast of the Kittatinny Mountains. Shale and limestone formation can be found in the valley along with dairy cattle and apple orchards.
The Piedmont lies northeast of the Atlantic Coastal Plain. About 20 miles wide, this area covers only about 1/5 of the state. The Piedmont includes the industrial cities of Elizabeth, Patterson, Jersey City, and Newark. New Jersey's major rivers (Hudson River, Passaic River, Remapo River, Raritan River) are found in this area supporting the industrial development.
West of the Peidmont is the New England Upland. This area, sometimes called The Highlands, includes flat-topped ridges of rock and extends into Pennsylvania and New York. This area is characterized by the many beautiful lakes nestled among the ridges.
In the northwest corner of the state is the Appalachian Ridge and Valley Region. This mountainous area includes the Kittatinny Mountains that run parallel to New Jersey's northwestern border. The Delaware Water Gap is where the Delaware River has cut through the Kittatinny Mountains. The wide Appalachian Valley lies southeast of the Kittatinny Mountains. Shale and limestone formation can be found in the valley along with dairy cattle and apple orchards.
New Jersey is a state within the United States of America that lies on the eastern edge of the North American continent. It shares a land border with the state of State of New York along the north, ratified by both states after the New York – New Jersey Line War. New Jersey is slightly larger than the country of Kuwait.
The Atlantic Ocean is east of the state. It is separated from New York, in particular the boroughs of the Bronx and Manhattan in New York City by the Hudson River, and from Staten Island by the Kill van Kull and the Arthur Kill. Liberty Island is an exclave of State of New York in New Jersey waters in Upper New York Bay. Ellis Island, also in the Upper Bay, and Shooter's Island, in Newark Bay, each have sections belonging to either of the two states.[1]
On its west, New Jersey is flanked by the Delaware River that forms its border with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Delaware Bay which separates New Jersey from the State of Delaware. However, due to a fluke in a colonial land grant for the city of New Castle, Delaware (called The Twelve-Mile Circle), there is a small amount of Delaware territory in contiguous New Jersey. Finns Point, piers at Penns Grove, New Jerseys Grove and Pennsville, and Artificial Island, the tip of a small peninsula[2] at Lower Alloways Creek are connected to Salem County. A coal pier in Logan Township also extends into the river. New jerseys natural regions wre formed by glaciers.
The Atlantic Ocean is east of the state. It is separated from New York, in particular the boroughs of the Bronx and Manhattan in New York City by the Hudson River, and from Staten Island by the Kill van Kull and the Arthur Kill. Liberty Island is an exclave of State of New York in New Jersey waters in Upper New York Bay. Ellis Island, also in the Upper Bay, and Shooter's Island, in Newark Bay, each have sections belonging to either of the two states.[1]
On its west, New Jersey is flanked by the Delaware River that forms its border with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Delaware Bay which separates New Jersey from the State of Delaware. However, due to a fluke in a colonial land grant for the city of New Castle, Delaware (called The Twelve-Mile Circle), there is a small amount of Delaware territory in contiguous New Jersey. Finns Point, piers at Penns Grove, New Jerseys Grove and Pennsville, and Artificial Island, the tip of a small peninsula[2] at Lower Alloways Creek are connected to Salem County. A coal pier in Logan Township also extends into the river. New jerseys natural regions wre formed by glaciers.
Physiographic Provinces[edit]
Physiographic Provinces of New JerseyNew Jersey is a region with a high variety of geographical features in a small area. The area can be broken into five regions, corresponding roughly to geological zones. These regions from north to south are the Appalachian Valley and Ridge, Highlands, Newark Basin Piedmont, Inner Coastal Plain, and the Outer Coastal Plain.
Appalachian Valley and Ridge Physiographic Province[edit]
Main article: Ridge-and-valley Appalachians
The Delaware Water Gap from Knowlton Township in New Jersey.
Shaded relief mapThe Appalachian Valley and Ridge lies in the northwestern corner of the state and includes the Kittatinny Mountains, several smaller valleys and the popularDelaware Water Gap. The state's highest point, the aptly named High Point is within this area, at 1,803 feet (550 m). Most of the state's section of the Appalachian Trail runs through this area. The province is bounded on the southeast by an unconformity betweenCambrian and Precambrian formations.
Highlands Physiographic Province[edit]
Main article: New York-New Jersey HighlandsThe Highlands Physiographic Province is a geological formation composed primarily of Precambrian igneous and metamorphic rock running from theDelaware River near Musconetcong Mountain, northeast through the Skylands Region of New Jersey along the Bearfort Ridge and the Ramapo Mountains. Numerous abandoned mines dot the region, dating from the 18th and 19th centuries when iron, copper, zinc and other minerals were extracted from the formations. The glaciated northern half of the province has an abundance of lakes and reservoirs which serve as water supplies for the urban areas to the east. The region's watershed is protected by the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act.
Newark Basin Piedmont[edit]
USGS map of the Newark Basin showing major highwaysThe Newark Basin is a region in northern New Jersey defined by the boundaries of a sediment-filled rift basin. This basin was formed when thesupercontinent Pangaea began to split approximately 220 million years ago, causing several large depressions to form due to extension, which then filled with sediment. The basin itself extends from Rockland County in the southern tip of New York to south-easternPennsylvania. It lies within the broader region known as the Piedmont, a crescent-shaped area characterized by smooth topography and large volumes of sediments. Like the Piedmont, the Newark Basin has gentle topography consisting of red bed clastic sediments with occasional igneous rock formations, such as the Palisades Sill and the Watchung basalt flows; these igneous features are responsible for the dramatic elevation changes observed in the region, such as The Palisades and the Watchung Mountains, respectively. The boundaries of the Newark Basin, as well as major highways, are shown on the map at left.
For the geological history of the region, see Newark Basin.
Inner Coastal Plain[edit]The Inner Coastal Plain province consists of lowlands and rolling hills underlain by Cretaceous deposits. Surficial geology in this region contains a number of fossils. The Monmouth County Park system, for example, includes a number of creeks where students and enthusiasts can gain real field exposure to cretaceous geology and paleontology. (Always check with the park service staff regarding permissibility before entering any field site.) The region's northwest border lies along the Piedmont fall line. Fertile, loamy soil makes the land ideal for agriculture and is responsible for New Jersey's nickname of the "Garden State". Its deposits of Greensand marl containing potash were used since colonial days by farmers to fertilize their fields.
Beach at Avalon.
Outer Coastal Plain[edit]The outer coastal plain consists of unconsolidated Tertiary deposits of sands, silt, and gravels. The soils are sandy with less clay than the inner coastal plain, and are more acidic and dry. The lack of fertility makes much of the region unsuitable for agriculture and large areas remain undeveloped. The sandyPine Barrens, an area that is agriculturally poor but species rich, occupy the center of the province. Blueberries and cranberries have been cultivated in lowland bogs that have accumulated depths of organic matter.
Along the coast, sandy beaches attract a recreation industry, and the offshorebarrier islands are popular vacation destinations.
Natural environment[edit]
Physiographic Provinces of New JerseyNew Jersey is a region with a high variety of geographical features in a small area. The area can be broken into five regions, corresponding roughly to geological zones. These regions from north to south are the Appalachian Valley and Ridge, Highlands, Newark Basin Piedmont, Inner Coastal Plain, and the Outer Coastal Plain.
Appalachian Valley and Ridge Physiographic Province[edit]
Main article: Ridge-and-valley Appalachians
The Delaware Water Gap from Knowlton Township in New Jersey.
Shaded relief mapThe Appalachian Valley and Ridge lies in the northwestern corner of the state and includes the Kittatinny Mountains, several smaller valleys and the popularDelaware Water Gap. The state's highest point, the aptly named High Point is within this area, at 1,803 feet (550 m). Most of the state's section of the Appalachian Trail runs through this area. The province is bounded on the southeast by an unconformity betweenCambrian and Precambrian formations.
Highlands Physiographic Province[edit]
Main article: New York-New Jersey HighlandsThe Highlands Physiographic Province is a geological formation composed primarily of Precambrian igneous and metamorphic rock running from theDelaware River near Musconetcong Mountain, northeast through the Skylands Region of New Jersey along the Bearfort Ridge and the Ramapo Mountains. Numerous abandoned mines dot the region, dating from the 18th and 19th centuries when iron, copper, zinc and other minerals were extracted from the formations. The glaciated northern half of the province has an abundance of lakes and reservoirs which serve as water supplies for the urban areas to the east. The region's watershed is protected by the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act.
Newark Basin Piedmont[edit]
USGS map of the Newark Basin showing major highwaysThe Newark Basin is a region in northern New Jersey defined by the boundaries of a sediment-filled rift basin. This basin was formed when thesupercontinent Pangaea began to split approximately 220 million years ago, causing several large depressions to form due to extension, which then filled with sediment. The basin itself extends from Rockland County in the southern tip of New York to south-easternPennsylvania. It lies within the broader region known as the Piedmont, a crescent-shaped area characterized by smooth topography and large volumes of sediments. Like the Piedmont, the Newark Basin has gentle topography consisting of red bed clastic sediments with occasional igneous rock formations, such as the Palisades Sill and the Watchung basalt flows; these igneous features are responsible for the dramatic elevation changes observed in the region, such as The Palisades and the Watchung Mountains, respectively. The boundaries of the Newark Basin, as well as major highways, are shown on the map at left.
For the geological history of the region, see Newark Basin.
Inner Coastal Plain[edit]The Inner Coastal Plain province consists of lowlands and rolling hills underlain by Cretaceous deposits. Surficial geology in this region contains a number of fossils. The Monmouth County Park system, for example, includes a number of creeks where students and enthusiasts can gain real field exposure to cretaceous geology and paleontology. (Always check with the park service staff regarding permissibility before entering any field site.) The region's northwest border lies along the Piedmont fall line. Fertile, loamy soil makes the land ideal for agriculture and is responsible for New Jersey's nickname of the "Garden State". Its deposits of Greensand marl containing potash were used since colonial days by farmers to fertilize their fields.
Beach at Avalon.
Outer Coastal Plain[edit]The outer coastal plain consists of unconsolidated Tertiary deposits of sands, silt, and gravels. The soils are sandy with less clay than the inner coastal plain, and are more acidic and dry. The lack of fertility makes much of the region unsuitable for agriculture and large areas remain undeveloped. The sandyPine Barrens, an area that is agriculturally poor but species rich, occupy the center of the province. Blueberries and cranberries have been cultivated in lowland bogs that have accumulated depths of organic matter.
Along the coast, sandy beaches attract a recreation industry, and the offshorebarrier islands are popular vacation destinations.
Natural environment[edit]
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New Jersey is ranked 47th of the fifty states that comprise the United States of America in terms of area. The total area of the state is 8,729 square miles (22,610 km2), of which 14.9% or 1,304 square miles (3,380 km2) is water, and 85.1%, or 7,425 square miles (19,230 km2), is land. New Jersey spans 70 miles (110 km) at its widest, and 130 miles (240 km) in length.
Due to its small size, New Jersey, which ranks eleventh in the nation in terms of population with 8,791,894 people, ranks first in population density, with 1,189 inhabitants per square mile (459/km2). However, while this offers the impression that New Jersey is entirely urban or suburban, it is not. Large swaths of northwestern and southern New Jersey are extremely rural. For example, Walpack Township in Sussex County, has a population of 39 and an area of 26 square miles (67 km2). Around 250 million years ago, during the Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras, the area that is today New Jersey bordered northern Africa as part of the supercontinent of Pangea. The pressure of the collision between North America and Africa gave rise to the Appalachian Mountains. Around 180 million years ago, Pangea began to break apart, separating the North American continent from the African continent. Around 18,000 years ago, the most recent ice age resulted in glaciers that reached New Jersey. As the glaciers retreated, they left behind Lake Passaic, as well as many rivers, swamps, and gorges.[6] New Jersey Geography
Barrier Islands front most of the Coastal Plain, a broad area of lowlands, swamps, and miles of white-sand beaches running almost the complete length of the state. From there, the land rises into a few scattered rolling hills southwest and central. The Pine Barrens, also known as the Pinelands, is a protected area of forests, swamps and marshes; it contains a huge reservoir (trillions of gallons) of some of the purest water on the planet. In the far northwest corner, the forested Kittatinny Range - a part the Appalachian Mountains - stretch across the state. There stands the state's highest point, aptly named High Point, at 1,803 ft. Over many centuries the Delaware River sliced through the Kittatinny Range, forming a wide, deep water gap, or break, named the Delaware Water Gap. Those mountains then slope southeast into the rolling hills of the Piedmont Plateau, a broad area of small lakes, rivers, streams and narrow valleys. The Highland's main feature is a series of flat-topped ridges of rock and slate that extend across the border into Pennsylvania and New York. It's also the site of numerous small lakes, rivers and streams. The most significant rivers in New Jersey are the Delaware and Hudson. The Delaware forms the state's entire western border with Pennsylvania, and most of its border with Delaware. The Hudson is the natural border between northeastern New Jersey and New York. Other important rivers include the Great Egg Harbor, Maurice, Mullica, Muscanetcong, Passaic and Toms. Lake Hopatcong is the largest freshwater lake in New Jersey. Delaware Bay is a large estuary outlet of the Delaware River. It's an estimated 782 sq. miles in area, and its water mixes for many miles with the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. For a closer look at the topography of New Jersey, view this topographic map. Glaciers, New Jersey and what it means for the Spread of ContaminationPosted on May 14, 2014
Roughly 30% of the state (most of the northern portion) was carved out by glaciers during the Pleistocene Epoch, with the last period of glacier advance occurring during the Wisconsin Glaciation (starting roughly 80,000 years ago). This glaciation reached its furthest point in New Jersey approximately 18,000 years ago and did not recede until nearly 11,000 years ago. During this time period, glaciers covered much of northern New Jersey, carving New Jersey’s ridges and valleys out of the bedrock and leaving behind a complex system of glacial deposits and moraines. These glacier deposited sediments are characterized by grain sizes ranging from clay to boulders, containing water producing and non-water producing zones, as well as confining and non-confining layers. The composition and thickness of these glacial deposits varies throughout the region and can affect the distribution and spread of contamination. The different aquifers within northern New Jersey have a diverse set of characteristics that contribute to water and contamination flow. The Buried Valley aquifer system, located in Morris and Essex counties and parts of Union and Somerset, is particularly susceptible to contamination due to the thinness of the soil layers and the shallowness of the water table. The entire aquifer area also acts as the recharge area enabling contamination to spread from one area to another easily. In contrast, both the Fifteen Basin aquifer system (encompassing portions of Hunterdon, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, and Warren counties, New Jersey and Orange County, New York), and the Highlands aquifer system (mainly in Passaic County and parts of Sussex, Morris, and Bergen counties, New Jersey and Orange County, New York), have several water producing zones with different hydraulic heads that are traversed by many bedrock wells. These wells aid and enable the spread of contamination from one zone to the next enabling shallower contamination to potentially contaminate the deeper water supply wells. Soils in these aquifers are also thin, contributing to the overall vulnerability of the aquifer to contamination. In the Rockaway River aquifer, located in Morris County, the shallowness of the aquifer influences the amount of contamination that is introduced. Contamination can enter directly from the surface, through contaminated water bodies and localized man-made pollution sources. Another aquifer that can be affected by contaminated surface water is the Ramapo River Basin aquifer system, located across Bergen and Passaic counties, New Jersey and Rockland and Orange counties, New York. Soil in this aquifer is highly permeable and the aquifer is recharged by the Ramapo River. This is also an unconfined aquifer which further decreases resistance to contamination. While the EPA acknowledges that the Ridgewood aquifer system has very high quality water, it is still vulnerable to contamination through the high permeability of the soil and the shallow depth of the groundwater. * Glacial Sediment and the Ice Age in New Jersey >> NJ Geological Survey
The main page of the NJGS. A wealth of GIS data is available at the Digital Geodata Archive page. http://www.state.nj.us/dep/njgs/index.html NJGIN is the successor to the NJ Spatial Data Clearinghouse. NJGIN provides the ability to search for spatial data and interactive mapping services across a distributed network of local nodes throughout New Jersey's state and local government. http://njgin.nj.gov The NJ Office of GIS plays a leadership role in coordinating the use of computer mapping and analysis technology throughout New Jersey. This site provides information on how GIS works, links to important NJ State GIS initiatives and links to the NJ Geographic Information Network and NJ interactive mapping applications. http://www.state.nj.us/it/oit/gis/ The Business Portal offers a Location Assessment Tool which can be used to elect and evaluate potential business locations. You can display environmental, economic growth/planning and workforce/demographic data on a map and then generate and print custom reports. http://njgin.state.nj.us/OIT_BusinessMap/index.jsp d&rcanal.htm State and county maps available in pdf and zipped formats. http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/gis/ GIS data created by the NJDHSS, available for download in ESRI shapefile format. http://www.state.nj.us/health/chs/gis.htm |