Reading Prong: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
m disambig
copyedit; fix links
Line 2: Line 2:


==Location==
==Location==
The Reading Prong stretches from near [[Reading, Pennsylvania|Reading]], [[Pennsylvania]], through northern [[New Jersey]] and southern [[New York]], reaching its northern terminus in [[Connecticut]].<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=iuBAAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA631&lpg=PA631&dq=%22Reading+Prong%22+%22New+Jersey%22&source=web&ots=A4YvELTSpM&sig=bhT1XNJ6xEapThnjGUypVmQXLIU&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=4&ct=result#PPA630,M1 Forest Physiography]</ref> In Pennsylvania, the Reading Prong is simply referred to as such, while in New Jersey and New York, the mountains of the subprovince are referred to as the [[New York-New Jersey Highlands]]. Near the Hudson Valley, the term [[Hudson Highlands]] is often used. The portion of the prong that enters Connecticut is known as the [[Housatonic Highlands]].
The Reading Prong stretches from near [[Reading, Pennsylvania|Reading]], [[Pennsylvania]], through northern [[New Jersey]] and southern [[New York]], reaching its northern terminus in [[Connecticut]].<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=iuBAAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA631&lpg=PA631&dq=%22Reading+Prong%22+%22New+Jersey%22&source=web&ots=A4YvELTSpM&sig=bhT1XNJ6xEapThnjGUypVmQXLIU&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=4&ct=result#PPA630,M1 Forest Physiography]</ref> In Pennsylvania, the Reading Prong is simply referred to as such, while in New Jersey and New York, the mountains of the subprovince are referred to as the [[New York – New Jersey Highlands]]. Near the [[Hudson Valley]], the term [[Hudson Highlands]] is often used. The portion of the prong that enters Connecticut is known as the [[Housatonic River|Housatonic Highlands]].


==Relation to other divisions of the New England Uplands==
==Relation to other divisions of the New England Uplands==
In addition to the Reading Prong, there are two additional subsections of the New England Uplands. A prong of the same rock belt extends from the Hudson Highlands south to New York City along the Hudson River. This region is often referred to as the [[Manhattan Prong]]. The [[Staten Island Sepentinite]] is also a southward extension of the New England Uplands.<ref>[http://training.fws.gov/library/pubs5/web_link/text/geolsect.htm Geomorphic Provinces and Sections of the New York Bight Watershed]</ref>
There are two subsections of the New England Uplands in addition to the Reading Prong. A prong of the same rock belt extends from the Hudson Highlands south to [[New York City]] along the [[Hudson River]]. This region is often referred to as the [[Manhattan Prong]]. The [[Staten Island Sepentinite]] is also a southward extension of the New England Uplands.<ref>[http://training.fws.gov/library/pubs5/web_link/text/geolsect.htm Geomorphic Provinces and Sections of the New York Bight Watershed]</ref>


==Geology==
==Geology==
The Reading Prong is part of the [[Precambrian]] basement which is discontinuously exposed in the north-central Appalachians. The rocks that make up the prong consist of diverse [[gneiss]]es.<ref>[http://petrology.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/15/2/325 Metamorphic History of the Northeastern Reading Prong]</ref> The New England Province and the [[Blue Ridge Mountains|Blue Ridge province]] share many geological similarities, and some experts consider the Reading Prong merely a continuation of the [[Blue Ridge Mountains]] which reach their northern terminus at [[South Mountain (Maryland and Pennsylvania)|South Mountain]] near [[Harrisburg, Pennsylvania]], Pennsylvania. In the gap between the Blue Ridge and the Reading Province, the two mountainous regions descend into the Appalachian [[piedmont]]. Together, the Blue Ridge province and the New England province are often referred to as the [[Crystalline Appalachians]]. Rocks of the Reading Prong are characterized by elevated concentrations of [[Uranium]]. Decay of this Uranium produces gaseous [[Radon]], a potentially hazardous source of indoor contamination in structures constructed on the prong.<ref>[http://64.233.169.104/search?q=cache:gA1Ik_bPTQ0J:njedl.rutgers.edu/njdlib/downloadStat.cfm%3Frecord_id%3D417%26docType%3Dpdf+%22Housatonic+Highlands%22+%22Reading+Prong%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=8&gl=us&client=firefox-a Critical Geologic Features-Allamuchy Township]</ref>
The Reading Prong is part of the [[Precambrian]] basement which is discontinuously exposed in the north-central Appalachians. The rocks that make up the prong consist of diverse [[gneiss]]es.<ref>[http://petrology.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/15/2/325 Metamorphic History of the Northeastern Reading Prong]</ref> The New England Province and the [[Blue Ridge Mountains|Blue Ridge province]] share many geological similarities, and some experts consider the Reading Prong merely a continuation of the [[Blue Ridge Mountains]], which reach their northern terminus at [[South Mountain (Maryland and Pennsylvania)|South Mountain]] near [[Harrisburg, Pennsylvania]], Pennsylvania. In the gap between the Blue Ridge and the Reading Province, the two mountainous regions descend into the Appalachian [[Piedmont (United States)|Piedmont]]. Together, the Blue Ridge province and the New England province are often referred to as the [[Crystalline Appalachians]]. Rocks of the Reading Prong are characterized by elevated concentrations of [[uranium]], the decay of which produces gaseous [[radon]], a potentially hazardous source of indoor contamination in structures constructed on the prong.<ref>[http://64.233.169.104/search?q=cache:gA1Ik_bPTQ0J:njedl.rutgers.edu/njdlib/downloadStat.cfm%3Frecord_id%3D417%26docType%3Dpdf+%22Housatonic+Highlands%22+%22Reading+Prong%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=8&gl=us&client=firefox-a Critical Geologic Features-Allamuchy Township]</ref>


==Mountains of the Reading Prong==
==Mountains of the Reading Prong==
Line 20: Line 20:
*[[North Sugarloaf]]
*[[North Sugarloaf]]
*[[Breakneck Ridge]]
*[[Breakneck Ridge]]
*[[Bull Hill]] aka Mt. Taurus
*[[Bull Hill]], aka Mt. Taurus
*[[South Redoubt and North Redoubt]]
*[[South Redoubt]] and [[North Redoubt]]
*[[Sugarloaf Hill (Hudson Highlands)|Sugarloaf Hill]]
*[[Sugarloaf Hill (Hudson Highlands)|Sugarloaf Hill]]
*[[White Rock]]
*[[White Rock (Hudson Highlands)|White Rock]]
*[[Canada Hill]]
*[[Canada Hill]]
*[[Anthony's Nose (Westchester)|Anthony's Nose]]
*[[Anthony's Nose (Westchester)|Anthony's Nose]]


===West Hudson Higlands (north to south)===
===West Hudson Highlands (north to south)===
*[[Storm King Mountain (New York)|Storm King Mountain]]
*[[Storm King Mountain (New York)|Storm King Mountain]]
*[[Crow's Nest (Hudson Highlands)|Crow's Nest]]
*[[Crow's Nest (New York)|Crow's Nest]]
*[[Popolopen|Popolopen Torne]]
*[[Popolopen|Popolopen Torne]]
*[[Bear Mountain (Hudson Highlands)|Bear Mountain]]
*[[Bear Mountain (Hudson Highlands)|Bear Mountain]]
*[[West Mountain]]
*[[West Mountain (Hudson Highlands)|West Mountain]]
*[[Bald Mountain]]
*[[Bald Mountain (Hudson Highlands)|Bald Mountain]]
*[[Dunderberg Mountain]]
*[[Dunderberg Mountain]]


Revision as of 19:52, 19 November 2010

The Reading Prong is a physiographic subprovince of the New England Uplands section of the New England province of the Appalachian Highlands. The prong consists of mountains made up of crystalline metamorphic rock.

Location

The Reading Prong stretches from near Reading, Pennsylvania, through northern New Jersey and southern New York, reaching its northern terminus in Connecticut.[1] In Pennsylvania, the Reading Prong is simply referred to as such, while in New Jersey and New York, the mountains of the subprovince are referred to as the New York – New Jersey Highlands. Near the Hudson Valley, the term Hudson Highlands is often used. The portion of the prong that enters Connecticut is known as the Housatonic Highlands.

Relation to other divisions of the New England Uplands

There are two subsections of the New England Uplands in addition to the Reading Prong. A prong of the same rock belt extends from the Hudson Highlands south to New York City along the Hudson River. This region is often referred to as the Manhattan Prong. The Staten Island Sepentinite is also a southward extension of the New England Uplands.[2]

Geology

The Reading Prong is part of the Precambrian basement which is discontinuously exposed in the north-central Appalachians. The rocks that make up the prong consist of diverse gneisses.[3] The New England Province and the Blue Ridge province share many geological similarities, and some experts consider the Reading Prong merely a continuation of the Blue Ridge Mountains, which reach their northern terminus at South Mountain near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania. In the gap between the Blue Ridge and the Reading Province, the two mountainous regions descend into the Appalachian Piedmont. Together, the Blue Ridge province and the New England province are often referred to as the Crystalline Appalachians. Rocks of the Reading Prong are characterized by elevated concentrations of uranium, the decay of which produces gaseous radon, a potentially hazardous source of indoor contamination in structures constructed on the prong.[4]

Mountains of the Reading Prong

Housatonic Highlands (north to south)

East Hudson Highlands (north to south)

West Hudson Highlands (north to south)

New Jersey Highlands (north to south)

Reading Prong of Pennsylvania (north to south)

References

  1. ^ Forest Physiography
  2. ^ Geomorphic Provinces and Sections of the New York Bight Watershed
  3. ^ Metamorphic History of the Northeastern Reading Prong
  4. ^ Critical Geologic Features-Allamuchy Township
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Reading_Prong&oldid=397731708"