Surficial geologic map of central and southern New Jersey

Abstract

The surficial geologic maps of central and southern New Jersey set forth the distribution of a variety of near-surface sedimentary deposits on the Coastal Plain and Piedmont. The textures, bedforms, and lithologies of the surficial deposits and their affinities for particular physiographic settings record the response of Earth's surface processes to changing climates and eustatic forces from the Miocene until modern times. The New Jersey Coastal Plain is the only part of the Atlantic Coastal Plain that was proximal to the southern extent of continental glacial advances during the Pleistocene. Evidence of cold, continental climates and periglacial phenomena are abundantly preserved on the New Jersey Coastal Plain. Quaternary deposits along the marine and estuarine margins of New Jersey record warm, humid-temperate climates during interglacial periods. Thus, the surficial geology of New Jersey includes evidence of sustained cold climates, warm climates, and transitional periods. This report describes the physical and mineralogical attributes of the surficial deposits, interprets the systems of geomorphic processes (environments of deposition) responsible for their origins, and discusses the ages of various assemblages of surficial deposits (see Correlation of Map Units). The surficial geologic maps and cross sections were compiled from extensive field investigations and new geologic mapping as well as from previous geologic maps of various scales compiled during the last 100 years. Figure 1 shows the sources of information that were integrated and compiled. The surficial deposits on the rocks of the Mesozoic basin in the Piedmont were mapped and described systematically according to criteria used on the surficial geologic map of northern New Jersey (Stone and others, 1995, in press) in order to assure continuity. The correspondence of surficial deposits on the Piedmont with surficial deposits on the Coastal Plain is explained in the Description of Map Units and shown on the Correlation of Map Units.