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Long Island Sound is a marine sound and tidal estuary of the Atlantic Ocean, stretching 110 miles (180 kilometres) from west to east, and covering 1,180 square miles (3,056 square kilometres). It is predominantly located between the US state of Connecticut to the north and Long Island in New York state to the south. Long Island Sound was formed when the terminal moraine that dammed the waters of Glacial Lake Connecticut failed, allowing seawater to mix with the lake's freshwater.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Formation | The terminal moraine that dammed the waters of Glacial Lake Connecticut failed, allowing seawater to mix with the lake's freshwater |
| Location | Between Connecticut and Long Island, New York |
| Type | Marine sound and tidal estuary of the Atlantic Ocean |
| Length | 90 miles (145 km) |
| Width | 3–20 miles (5–32 km) |
| Max Depth | 330 feet (100 meters) |
| Average Depth | 65–230 feet (20–70 meters) |
| Tidal Range | 3–6 feet (1–2 meters) |
| Drainage Basin | Nearly 13 times its area |
| Freshwater Percentage | 35% |
| Population | 8.93 million (as of 2010) |
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What You'll Learn
The basin existed before glaciers
Long Island Sound is a marine sound and tidal estuary of the Atlantic Ocean, lying predominantly between the US states of Connecticut to the north and Long Island, New York, to the south. It stretches 110 miles (180 km) from west to east, from the East River and Throgs Neck Bridge in New York City to Block Island Sound.
The Long Island Sound basin existed before the glaciers came and was probably formed by stream flows. A relatively thick cover of sand and gravel (known as outwash) was left in the basin from glacial meltwater streams. On the west side of the basin is a ridge that rises to about 65 feet (20 m) below present sea level, called the Mattatuck Sill. Its lowest point is about 80 feet (24 m) below sea level.
Glacial meltwater formed "Lake Connecticut", a freshwater lake in the basin, until about 8,000 years ago when the sea level rose to about 80 feet (24 m) below today's level. Seawater then overflowed into the basin, transforming it from a nontidal, freshwater lake to a tidal, saline arm of the sea. This process occurred during the last glaciation, when terminal moraines created Long Island. A periglacial lake developed behind this moraine (Glacial Lake Connecticut), which was filled with red, varved lake clays.
The Long Island Sound is now a mix of freshwater from tributaries and saltwater from the Atlantic Ocean. It is 21 miles (34 km) at its widest point and varies in depth from 65 to 230 feet (20 to 70 m). Two glacial advances have deepened the sound’s water to more than 100 feet (30 meters), with a maximum depth of 330 feet (100 meters) near its eastern limits.
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Glacial meltwater formed Lake Connecticut
Long Island Sound, a semi-enclosed arm of the North Atlantic Ocean, was formed when the terminal moraine that dammed the waters of Glacial Lake Connecticut failed. Glacial Lake Connecticut was a freshwater lake that occupied the Long Island Sound basin, which existed before the glaciers came and was likely formed by stream flows.
The Long Island Sound basin was left with a relatively thick cover of sand and gravel, or outwash, from glacial meltwater streams. This meltwater formed Glacial Lake Connecticut, which existed until around 8,000 years ago when the sea level rose to about 80 feet (24 m) below the present level. As a result, seawater overflowed into the basin, transforming it into a tidal, saline arm of the sea.
The formation of Long Island Sound was also influenced by two glacial advances that deepened the sound's water to more than 100 feet (30 meters). The sound stretches 110 miles (180 km) from west to east and varies in depth from 65 to 230 feet (20 to 70 meters). It is part of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway and is surrounded by residential communities and yachting resorts.
The water of Long Island Sound is a mix of freshwater from tributaries and saltwater from the Atlantic Ocean. The annual volume of incoming freshwater accounts for about 35% of the total water in the sound. The sound is known for its rich ecosystem, including plankton, bottom-dwelling organisms, mollusks, and eelgrass, which plays a crucial role in stabilizing sediments and preventing erosion.
The first European to record the existence of Long Island Sound was the Dutch navigator Adriaen Block, who entered the sound from the East River in 1614. The sound has a significant historical and cultural legacy, with various names and landmarks associated with it, such as "The Devil's Belt" and "Devil's Stepping Stones" during colonial times.
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Seawater overflowed into the basin
Long Island Sound is a marine sound and tidal estuary of the Atlantic Ocean, situated between Connecticut and Long Island, New York. The Long Island Sound basin is believed to have existed before the glaciers, likely formed by stream flows.
The transformation of the basin from a nontidal, freshwater lake to a tidal, saline arm of the sea occurred when seawater overflowed into it. This process began with the formation of Glacial Lake Connecticut, a freshwater lake in the basin created by glacial meltwater. Around 8,000 years ago, the sea level rose to approximately 80 feet (24 meters) below the current sea level. As a result, seawater flowed into the basin, mixing with the freshwater of Glacial Lake Connecticut.
The overflow of seawater into the basin was facilitated by the failure of the terminal moraine that had previously dammed the waters of Glacial Lake Connecticut. This allowed for the mixing of seawater from the Atlantic Ocean with the freshwater of the lake. The eastern end of Glacial Lake Connecticut, towards the Atlantic Ocean, is believed to have played a crucial role in this transition.
The marine transgression, or the invasion of the sea onto land, occurred around 15,000 years ago, according to radiocarbon dating of organic material and mollusk fragments from core samples. The invasion of seawater into the basin resulted in the deposition of a marine-estuarine sediment sequence on the partially eroded varved clays that had previously been deposited by Glacial Lake Connecticut.
Today, Long Island Sound remains a mix of freshwater from tributaries and saltwater from the Atlantic Ocean. It stretches 110 miles (180 kilometers) from west to east and varies in depth from 65 to 230 feet (20 to 70 meters). The sound is characterized by its rich ecosystem, including plankton, bottom-dwelling organisms, and various species of fish, birds, and invertebrates.
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The terminal moraine that dammed Lake Connecticut failed
Long Island Sound is a marine sound and tidal estuary of the Atlantic Ocean. It is located on the east coast of the USA, predominantly between the states of Connecticut to the north and Long Island, New York, to the south. The sound covers 1,180 square miles (3,056 square km), stretching 110 miles (180 km) from west to east and reaching a maximum depth of 330 feet (100 meters).
Long Island Sound was formed when the terminal moraine that dammed the waters of glacial Lake Connecticut failed. This event occurred during the early deglaciation period, when a periglacial lake developed behind the moraine, which was rapidly filled with red, varved lake clays. Glacial Lake Connecticut was a freshwater lake in the basin of Long Island Sound, formed by glacial meltwater streams. The lake existed until around 8,000 years ago when the sea level rose, causing seawater to overflow into the basin.
The failure of the terminal moraine that dammed Lake Connecticut led to the drainage of the lake towards the Atlantic Ocean. This event, which occurred approximately 18,000 years ago, caused the LIS basin to dry out, and a fluvial drainage pattern was carved into the lake beds. As global sea levels continued to rise, seawater entered the Long Island Sound from the east, mixing with the lake's freshwater and transforming it into a tidal, saline arm of the sea. This mixture of seawater and freshwater continues today, with the sound comprising a mix of freshwater from tributaries and saltwater from the Atlantic Ocean.
The formation of Long Island Sound through the failure of the terminal moraine has had significant ecological and human impacts. The sound's waters are rich in plankton and bottom-dwelling organisms, supporting various species of fish, lobsters, crabs, clams, and mollusks. The area surrounding the sound has also attracted human settlement, with many residential communities and yachting resorts established along its shores. Additionally, the sound has been utilized for manufacturing and production activities during the Industrial Revolution, contributing to economic and population growth in the region.
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It is a tidal estuary of the Atlantic Ocean
Long Island Sound is a tidal estuary of the Atlantic Ocean. It is a semi-enclosed arm of the North Atlantic, stretching 110 miles (180 kilometres) from west to east, and is situated between the US states of Connecticut and Long Island, New York. The sound is a mix of freshwater from tributaries and saltwater from the Atlantic Ocean. It is 21 miles (34 kilometres) at its widest point and varies in depth from 65 to 230 feet (20 to 70 metres).
The formation of Long Island Sound is believed to have occurred in several stages. Before the glaciers, the Long Island Sound basin existed and was likely formed by stream flows. The basin was filled with a thick layer of sand and gravel, known as outwash, left behind by glacial meltwater streams. This meltwater also formed Glacial Lake Connecticut, a freshwater lake in the basin, which existed until around 8,000 years ago when rising sea levels caused seawater to overflow into the basin.
The transformation of the basin from a nontidal, freshwater lake to a tidal, saline arm of the sea was likely the result of the failure of the terminal moraine that had dammed Glacial Lake Connecticut. This allowed seawater to mix with the lake's freshwater. The eastern end of the lake, towards the Atlantic Ocean, failed, causing the basin to dry out and a drainage pattern to form. As global sea levels continued to rise, seawater entered the basin from the east, depositing a marine-estuarine sediment sequence on the partially eroded lake clays.
The Long Island Sound is an important waterway, forming part of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. It is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including mollusks, invertebrates, waterfowl, and horseshoe crabs. The sound has also played a significant role in the region's economy, with industries such as manufacturing, textiles, metal finishing, fishing, and oyster harvesting utilising its resources.
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Frequently asked questions
Long Island Sound was formed when the terminal moraine that dammed the waters of glacial Lake Connecticut failed, allowing seawater to mix with the lake's freshwater.
A terminal moraine is a ridge of debris left by a glacier.
Long Island Sound covers 1,180 square miles (3,056 square km) and is 90 miles (145 km) long.
The depth of the sound varies from 65 to 230 feet (20 to 70 meters), with a maximum depth of 330 feet (100 meters) near its eastern limits.
Prior to European colonization, an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 Native Americans inhabited the area. The first European to record the existence of Long Island Sound was Dutch navigator Adriaen Block in 1614. During the Industrial Revolution, the area became a hub for manufacturing and production, including textiles, metal finishing, fishing, and oyster harvesting.
