Geology of Long Island Long Essay

" These geologic formations formed from large chunks of ice that broke away from the glacier as it retreated. Much like an iceberg, but on the land, these chunks of ice eventually melted and formed small lakes in the indentation formed on the ground where they lay. The largest of the kettle lakes is Lake Ronkonkoma, which formed some 17,000 years ago. ("Formation of Lake Ronkonkoma.")

The most drastic effects on the geology of Long Island came after the last Ice Age and the ocean levels rose. The large amount of melt-water flowed into Long Island Sound, and the shores of Long Island became inundated with water. Also, "the action of the waves and currents aided by the wind have eroded and reshaped the soft glacial sediments to form numerous sandy shoreline features." ("Geology of Long Island") This has caused the formation of a number of islands including Fire Island, Jones Beach, Long Beach, and others.

Originally formed from pre-Mesozoic rock sediments dumped during the Cretaceous period, Long Island underwent changes as a result of the most recent Ice Age. The Wisconsin stage of the Pleistocene left glaciers in the middle of Long Island, forming the two moraines which currently exist.As the glaciers receded, melting chunks of glacier which were left behind then went on to form a number of kettle lakes and the rising sea levels rose to inundate the shoreline and cause some dramatic changes in the shape of Long Island. And because of its location, along the Atlantic coast, tides and currents are continually shaping and reshaping the geology of Long Island.

Works Cited

"Formation of Lake Ronkonkoma." Web. 11 Dec. 2011.

http://wotan.liu.edu/home/esenig/formation.html

"Geologic History of Long Island Sound" Long Island Sound Resource Center - Home.

Web. 11 Dec. 2011. http://www.lisrc.uconn.edu/lisrc/index.asp

"Geology of Long Island." Garvies Point Museum and Preserve. Web. 11 Dec. 2011.

http://www.garviespointmuseum.com/geology.php

Lewis, Ralph, and Sally Needell. "USGS OFR 02-002: Summary Report - Eastern Long

Island Sound" USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Located in Woods Hole, MA. Web 12 Dec. 2011.

http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/openfile/of02-002/htmldocs/elissum.htm%20//%20GeologicSetting.....