Manhattan Prong facts for kids
The Manhattan Prong is a special area of very old rocks. It's like a strong backbone of ancient stone found in parts of New York State, including some famous places like Manhattan and the Bronx. You can also find it in parts of Brooklyn, Staten Island, Westchester County, and even into southwestern Connecticut. These rocks are super old, formed millions of years ago!
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What is the Manhattan Prong?
The Manhattan Prong is a long, narrow strip of land made from some of Earth's oldest rocks. Think of it as a hidden foundation beneath busy cities. These rocks are part of a larger area called the New England Uplands. They are very strong and have been shaped by incredible forces over millions of years.
Where Can You Find It?
This ancient rock belt stretches across several important areas.
- In New York State, it includes:
- Most of Manhattan
- All of the Bronx
- Parts of Brooklyn
- Sections of Staten Island
- Upland areas of Westchester County
- It also extends into the higher parts of southwestern Connecticut.
How Does It Connect to Other Landforms?
The Manhattan Prong isn't alone. It's part of a bigger geological story.
The Reading Prong
To the south, the Manhattan Prong is separated from another similar rock belt called the Reading Prong. A large area known as the Newark Basin lies between them. However, these two "prongs" actually join up near Peekskill, New York in the north.
Ramapo Mountains
Along the northwestern edge of the Newark Basin, you'll find a chain of mountains called the Ramapo Mountains. These mountains rise almost a thousand feet high in New York and New Jersey. They are also made of very old, strong rocks.
The Trenton Prong
South and west of Trenton, New Jersey, another belt of ancient rock appears. Geologists call these rocks part of the Trenton Prong. Like the Manhattan Prong, these are also very old metamorphic and igneous rocks.
What Kinds of Rocks Are There?
The rocks in the Manhattan Prong are mostly metamorphic and igneous. This means they were changed by heat and pressure deep underground, or they formed from cooled magma.
Manhattan Schist
One common rock found here is Manhattan schist. Schist is a type of metamorphic rock that often has a shiny, layered look because of minerals like mica. It's a very strong rock.
Tuckahoe Marble
Another important rock is Tuckahoe marble. Marble is also a metamorphic rock, formed from limestone. It's known for its beautiful appearance and has been used in many buildings.
