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Rock Type:
The common rock types found in New York are sedimentary rocks, metamorphic rocks, and igneous rocks. Sedimentary rocks are prevalent throughout the state. Sedimentary rocks like shale, sandstone, and limestone characterize the Appalachian Plateau and part of the Appalachian Mountains broader. There are also regions with metamorphic rocks that result from transforming pre-existing rocks under high pressure and temperature. Igneous rocks are formed from the cooling and solidification of molten magma and are present in certain areas. The igneous rocks in New York consist of anorthosite, granite, and gabbro. (22)
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Internal Process and Plate Boundaries:
The tectonic process played a role in shaping New York's landforms. The ongoing processes of weathering, erosion, and sedimentation continue to modify landscapes over the geological time scales. (24)
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Weathering and Erosion:
There was one significant geologic event that impacted New York in 1884. There was an earthquake on August 10, 1884, with a magnitude of 5.5 and it struck near Brooklyn, New York. Earthquakes are not common in New York compared to other parts of the world but there are possibilities of them happening. The earthquake had caused damage to buildings across parts of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. The typical locations of earthquakes are places located near tectonic plate boundaries. The earthquake was considered a rare occurrence in this region. (25)
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Liquid Water:
The water supply in New York comprises 19 reservoirs. and three controlled lakes. The watershed is 2,000 square miles and extends into parts of the Hudson Valley and the Catskill Mountains. It goes up to 125 miles north of New York City. There are three distinct water supplies including the Catskill/Delaware Water Supply System which is in Delaware, Greene, Schoharie, Sullivan, and Ulster counties, the Croton Water Supply System, located in Putnam, Westchester, and Dutchess counties, and the Groundwater Supply System in southeastern Queens. (21)
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Glaciers:
Glaciers have impacted the landforms of New York, particularly during the Pleistocene Epoch. The ice sheets had shaped the state's topography through various glacial processes. One impact was the formation of the Finger Lakes, a group of elongated, glacially-carved lakes in central and western New York. The glacier erosion is primarily attributed to retreating ice masses, and carved deep troughs in landscapes, creating these distinctive, narrow lakes. (26)
Other Processes:
Wind erosion and deposition have affected certain regions, contributing to the formation of sand dunes and loess deposits. The movement of wind-borne sediments has shaped the topography, particularly in areas with well-exposed, unconsolidated materials. The landforms of New York reflect a complex interplay of geological processes, including erosion, deposition, and human-induced modifications. The state's diverse landscapes showcase the dynamic forces that have shaped and continue to shape its geography over geological time scales. (27)
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