New York Geology Granite
The oldest rocks will be fordham gneiss dating from c.
New york geology granite. The geology of new york state is made up of ancient precambrian crystalline basement rock forming the adirondack mountains and the bedrock of much of the state. 1 1 ga billion years. The greensward foundation 1976. Pillow lava ordovician at surface covers 0 1 of this area at stark s knob near schuylerville saratoga county.
Granite is composed mainly of quartz and feldspar with minor amounts of mica amphiboles and other minerals this mineral composition usually gives granite a red pink gray or white color with dark mineral. This summary features some of the more commonly found types of stone used in the new york city parks monuments collection. New york geology reading list. A natural history of new york rivergate rutgers university press 2007 roberts david c.
Today we will see rocks that record critical events in new york city s long geologic history. As used in monuments the same granite and marble may have a strikingly different appearance and coloration depending on whether their surface treatment has a flame finish honed surface or polished treatment. A densely packed space not much of the earth s crust is visible on the surface of the city. The youngest muscovite bearing granite and pegmatite with ages of 380 ma million years.
Central park is one of the only places where the natural state of new york is exposed. It forms from the slow crystallization of magma below earth s surface. Rock trails in central park. The city of new york does not conjure up phantasmagorias of geology.
Thickness ranges from 1 250 m 4 100 ft in delaware river valley to 457 m 1 500 ft at new york state line. Granite is a light colored igneous rock with grains large enough to be visible with the unaided eye. City at the water s edge.