LATE CENOZOIC CLIMATE SHAPING OF NEW JERSEY'S SURFICIAL GEOLOGY: THE NEW STATE GEOLOGIC MAP OF NEW JERSEY (USGS MAP I-2540 C, D)

The earth-surface environment of New Jersey presents a serial history of Cenozoic climate cycles that have repeatedly unfolded across the entire State. The new surficial geologic map of New Jersey, a cooperative project between the U.S. Geological Survey and the New Jersey Geological Survey, depicts marine, coastal, glacial, fluvial, slope, and eolian deposits with geomorphic signatures from both warm and cold climates. By using the tools of basin analysis, the surficial geology has been mapped for the first time at a scale of 1:100,000. Within a new lithostratigraphic framework, deposits are further characterized by allostratigraphic principles that permit detailed delineation of depositional facies within geomorphic process-oriented motifs (including glacial morphologic sequences, badlands-style topographic inversion, delta plain, coastal barrier/back bay, and a sand/loess provenance model). The surficial geology is visualized in the third dimension through cross sections and block diagrams. The deposit/process link facilitates predictive applications of map information in studies of resources, nutrient and contamination cycling, and choices involving critical ecosystems. Initially compiled by traditional methods, the map was prepared for editing and printing by the creation of digital graphic files.