Navesink Highlands

Navesink Highlands
Atlantic Highlands
Range
Navesink Highlands seen from the Atlantic Ocean while on approach to New York Harbor
Country	United States
State	New Jersey
Highest point	Beacon Hill
- elevation	373 ft (114 m)
- coordinates	40°22′23.89″N 74°13′19.82″W / 40.3733028°N 74.2221722°W / 40.3733028; -74.2221722
Length	18 mi (29 km), east–west
Geology	sedimentary
Period	Cretaceous/Tertiary

The Navesink Highlands, sometimes referred to as the Highlands of Navesink and also known as the Atlantic Highlands, are a range of low hills and upland areas located along the United States Atlantic coast in New Jersey. The hills of the Highlands reach over 350 feet (107 meters) in elevation, attaining a maximum elevation of 373 feet (114 meters) at Beacon Hill, which is the highest point in Monmouth County.^[1][2] The seaward front of the Navesink Highlands constitute the highest headlands along the United States east coast south of Maine, with the highest point of the headlands reaching an elevation of 266 feet (81 meters) at Mount Mitchill.^[1]

Geography

The Navesink Highlands, which stretch west to east along the south shore of Raritan Bay (part of New York Bay), lie entirely within the boundaries of Monmouth County. A thin barrier spit known as Sandy Hook fronts the ocean side of the Navesink Highlands, separated from the base of the most seaward hills by the narrow tidal channel of the Shrewsbury River.

The western portions of the Highlands, which attain the highest elevations of the range, are sometimes referred to as the Mount Pleasant Hills.^[3] The hills of this area include Beacon Hill, Telegraph Hill, and Crawford Hill.

Geology

The hills of the Navesink Highlands are composed of uplifted layers of hardened sands, mud, and gravel from the Atlantic Coastal Plain. The uplift of the Highlands is attributed to glacial rebound, although it is possible that other geologic processes are occurring.^[1] The current height of the hills is partly a consequence of their structure. The topmost geologic layer of the Highlands, the Cohansey Formation, is composed of sand, gravel, and erosion resistant ironstone. This layer forms a hard capstone along the highest summits of the Highlands, protecting more easily weathered underlying geologic layers such as the Navesink Formation.^[1]

Recreation

The Navesink Highlands offer a variety of recreational and educational opportunities to the region. These include hiking, fishing, historical venues, and even fossil collecting.^[1]

Parks, preserves, and historical sites from east to west:

• Navesink Twin Lights Museum
• Hartshorne Woods Park
• Mount Mitchill Scenic Overlook County Park
• Huber Woods
• Poricy Park
• Deep Cut Gardens
• Tatum Park
• Holmdel Park

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e} NYC Regional Geology: Atlantic Coastal Plain. USGS, 2003. Retrieved 2011-09-05.
2. ^ Cook, George H. (State Geologist). Geology of New Jersey. Newark, New Jersey: Daily Advertiser, 1868. Available Online
3. ^ Topoquest (Map Center: N40.39759, W74.15828; overview of central-western Navesink Highlands including the Mount Pleasant Hills). Topoquest.com, 2008-2010. Retrieved 2011-09-05.