Name: ________________________
Due Date: _____________________
Per: ________
40 minutes
New York State Landscape Regions
Purpose: At the end of this activity, you should be able to identify and
understand the variety of landscape regions in New York State
Introduction:
New York State has a greater number of different landscape
regions than any other state. The chief reason for this variety of landscape
regions is the great variation in age, structure, and resistance to weathering of
the bedrock found within the state.
Almost all of New York State was affected by the glaciers of the last ice age
that ended in New York about 10,000 years ago. As a result, glacial features are
observed throughout the state. One of the most important features left by the
glaciers is the transported soils (glacial till). New York State can be divided into
10 main landscape regions based on changing topographies and rock structure.
Procedure A:
1. Read the passage about each landscape region on the following pages to
determine if each is an area of high, middle, or low elevation according to
the following criteria:
High
Middle
Low
(> 800 m)
(200 – 800 m)
(< 200 m)
=
=
=
red
yellow
green
2. On Map 1, color each landscape region as high, middle, or low elevation
using the colors above.
Atlantic Coastal Plain
This landscape region is found exclusively on Long Island and consists of
sedimentary bedrock formed during the late Mesozoic and Cenozoic Eras. Covered with
thick glacial deposits of gravel, sand and clay, it can reach elevations of 110 meters
above sea level. The slopes of the hills are gentle, and features along the shore such as
beaches and sandbars have been created by waves and ocean currents.
On Map 1, label the area “Atlantic Coastal Plain.”
Newark Lowlands
This region is made up of weak sedimentary rocks, such as conglomerate, red
sandstone, and red shale, which have been weathered and eroded to lower elevations
than the surrounding landscape regions and has a generally smooth appearance. An
igneous intrusion called the Palisades Sill borders the Hudson River. It is very resistant
to weathering and forms a cliff that ranges up to 150 meters above sea level.
On Map 1, label the area “Newark Lowlands.”
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New York State Landscape Regions
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Hudson Highlands
The mountains in this region are in the mature and old-age stages and are made
up of Precambrian rocks, such as gneisses, quartzites, and marbles. The rocks are more
resistant to weathering than the rocks of the surrounding regions. In the northern parts
of the region there are elevations up to 500 meters above sea level with steep slopes.
The southern parts have less slope. This landscape region is part of the New England
Uplands.
On Map 1, label the area “Hudson Highlands.”
Taconic Mountains
These greatly eroded mountains were originally uplifted in the Paleozoic Era. The
rocks are mostly sandstone, shale, and slate and are highly folded and faulted. Today
they have moderate elevations (up to about 600 meters above sea level) and gradual
changes in slope, so that the topography has the form of rolling hills.
On Map 1, label the area “Taconic Mountains.”
Hudson-Mohawk Lowlands
The rocks of this region are sedimentary rocks of Paleozoic age, such as
limestones, shales, sandstones, and dolostones. They have been weathered and eroded
by the Mohawk and Hudson Rivers to generally low elevations. More resistant rocks
have formed escarpments (steep cliffs) and the walls of the valleys carved by the rivers.
South of Albany, the Hudson River has an elevation of sea level and may be considered
an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean.
On Map 1, label the area “Hudson-Mohawk Lowlands.”
Allegheny (Appalachian) Plateau
This plateau is made up of sedimentary rocks mostly of Paleozoic age, such as
limestones, shales, sandstones, and conglomerates. Significant weathering and erosion
by streams and glaciers has resulted in steep slopes and much change in elevation. The
Finger Lakes are found in this region and are the remnants of glacial lakes that filled the
valleys. Elevations range from about 245 meters to 425 meters above sea level.
On Map 1, label the area “Allegheny Plateau.”
Catskills
The Catskills are not true mountains. They have the appearance of mountains
due to weathering and erosion by streams and glaciers resulting in steep slopes and
much change in elevation, so that they resemble mountains. Elevations are up to 900
meters above sea level in the Catskills. The Catskills are carved out of the Allegheny
Plateau, but are considered a distinct landscape region.
On Map 1, label the area “Catskills.”
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Erie-Ontario Lowlands
This region is a plain of sedimentary rock of Paleozoic age, such as limestone,
shale, sandstone, and dolostone, covered by much glacial till. The northern section is
especially smooth because of deposits of sediments from glacial lakes that were the
ancestors of Lakes Erie and Ontario. Oneida Lake is the remains of glacial Lake Iroquois
which covered most of central New York (Verona is located in this former lake bed).
Elevations and slopes are generally small throughout the region.
On Map 1, label the area “Erie-Ontario Lowlands.”
Tug Hill Plateau
This plateau of sedimentary rocks of Paleozoic age has a surface layer very
resistant to weathering. The elevation of the plateau is about 600 – 700 meters above
sea level. However, steep slopes occur where rivers have cut valleys, such as the Black
River Valley that separates this region from the Adirondacks.
On Map 1, label the area “Tug Hill Plateau.”
Adirondack Mountains
These are mature mountains made up of metamorphic rocks of Precambrian age,
such as gneisses, quartzites, and marbles. There are moderate elevations in the western
section, but the highest elevations in the state (over 1,350 meters above sea level at
mountain peaks) occur in the eastern section. Mt. Marcy, at 1,629 meters above sea
level, is the highest point in New York State. The landscape is rugged, which much
change in elevation; steep slopes, valleys related to faults, and rocks of lesser resistance
to weathering.
On Map 1, label the area “Adirondack Mountains.”
St. Lawrence-Champlain Lowlands
This plain is made up of sedimentary rocks of lower resistance to weathering than
rocks of the surrounding regions, and therefore has lower elevations. The rocks are
Paleozoic limestones, shales, sandstones, and dolostones. The St. Lawrence area is
mostly flat and borders the St. Lawrence River. Some steep slopes exist in the
Champlain area due to uplift.
On Map 1, label the area “St. Lawrence-Champlain Lowlands.”
Manhattan Prong
This area has a landscape of rolling hills and valleys. Its greatest elevation is
approximately 100 meters above sea level. The region is made up of tightly folded
metamorphic rocks covered by glacial deposits.
On Map 1, label the area “Manhattan Prong.”
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Procedure B:
In addition to elevation, the patterns of water drainage on a land surface
play an important role in landscape formation. Map 2 shows some of the rivers,
streams, and lakes in New York State.
1. Referring to the Generalized Bedrock Geology of New York State map in the
ESRT, find and label the following water features on the NYS Drainage Map.
Use a blue pencil to trace over and highlight each of the following features.
Susquehanna River
Mohawk River
Genesse River
Niagara River
Lake Erie
Finger Lakes
Hudson River
Delaware River
St. Lawrence River
Lake Ontario
Lake Champlain
Long Island Sound
2. The Hudson River drains into ___________________________________.
3. The Finger Lakes drain into Lake ________________________________.
4. Significant farming occurs on NYS’ Appalacian Plateau. What bodies of
water may be affected by the use of pesticides and fertilizers in that part of
the state?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
5. List the names of the major cities/towns that have developed along the
Hudson River.
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
6. List the names of the landscape regions that the Hudson River flows
through – in order - in its trip from source to mouth.
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
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Conclusions:
Compare the Generalized Bedrock Geology of New York State map in the
ESRT with your completed Map 1 and answer the following questions:
1. In the areas of high elevation, what is the bedrock type and geologic age?
_________________________________________________________________
2. In the Atlantic Coastal Plain region what is the bedrock type and geologic
age?
_________________________________________________________________
3. The Allegheny Plateau includes the Catskills (a plateau dissected by
streams which gives the appearance of being mountains). Describe the
bedrock in terms of type and age.
_________________________________________________________________
4. Describe the Erie-Ontario Lowlands in terms of rock type and age.
_________________________________________________________________
5. Describe the Hudson-Mohawk Lowlands in terms of rock type and age.
_________________________________________________________________
6. Describe the Taconic Mountains in terms of rock type and age.
_________________________________________________________________
7. Which regions show evidence that crustal uplift was dominant over
erosional forces in the past?
_________________________________________________________________
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Map 1: Landscape regions of New York State
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Map 2: New York Sate Drainage Map
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