Hamburg Mountains (New Jersey) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hamburg Mountains |
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|---|---|
| Wallkill Mountains | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,473 ft (449 m) NGVD 29 |
| Geography | |
| Country | United States |
| Range coordinates | 41°09.08′N 74°30.51′W / 41.15133°N 74.50850°W |
| Parent range |
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| Topo map | USGS Hamburg |
| Biome |
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| Geology | |
| Orogeny | Grenville orogeny |
| Age of rock | Mesoproterozoic era and Stenian period |
| Type of rock | Crystalline metamorphic rock and gneiss |
The Hamburg Mountains are a mountain range located in Sussex County, New Jersey. They are part of the larger Appalachian Mountains system, which stretches across eastern North America. The highest point of the Hamburg Mountains reaches about 1,473 feet (449 meters) above sea level.
Where are the Hamburg Mountains?
The Hamburg Mountains are found in New Jersey. They help form the edges of the Vernon Valley. To the east of the Hamburg Mountains, you'll find Wawayanda Mountain. To the west, there is Pochuck Mountain. The Vernon Valley is an important area known for its farms and mining history. A stream called Pochuck Creek flows through this valley.
What are the Hamburg Mountains made of?
The Hamburg Mountains are part of a special geological area called the Reading Prong. This area is made up of very old, hard rocks known as metamorphic rocks. These rocks were formed deep inside the Earth a very long time ago. The Hamburg Mountains are part of a larger group of mountains called the Crystalline Appalachians. These mountains stretch from Vermont in the north all the way down to the Blue Ridge Mountains in the south. They are different from other nearby mountains, like the Kittatinny Mountains, which are made of different types of rock.
A Look Back in Time: Early Descriptions
People have known about the Hamburg Mountains for a long time. In 1834, a description of the area mentioned them. It called them the "Hamburg, or Wallkill Mountains." This description noted that they were a chain of hills. They stretched across parts of Byram and Hardiston townships. They also connected with Wawayanda and Pochuck mountains in Vernon township. The description said the range was about 25 miles long.
