Hudson River ValleyGEOG 111 “Regions” Assignment

Fall 2014

Task 1: Location

Source: Google earth satellite imagery

Task 1: Map No. 2

Source: http://www.hvedc.org/webpages/map_of_counties.aspx

Task 1: Map No. 3

Source: http://hudsonvalleyweather.com/zone-map/

Task 2: Temperature and Precipitation

The Hudson River Valley generally borders both the Hudson and Mohawk

rivers. Due to the influence of high insolation levels, correlating high

temperatures tend to be between the months of April and September.

Because of its latitude is farther away from the equator the insolation isn’t

as direct and covers larger areas of land, so an obliquity increase would

make sense. During the winter months Hudson Valley gets 8-9 hours of

sunlight a day, 11-12 in the fall and spring months, and 13-15 during the

summer. The presence of the river contributes to precipitation levels, but

current climate change factors have made New York as a state much

warmer and more dry on average. Precipitation levels are higher in the

summer months.

Source: http://pveducation.org/pvcdrom/properties-of-sunlight/calculation-of-solar-insolation

Task 2a & 2b: Climograph

Source: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/IPS/lcd/lcd.html?_page=1&state=NY&stationID=14735

Task 2a & 2b: Climograph

Source: http://www.weather.gov/media/aly/Climate/KGFL_Normals_1981-2010.pdf

Task 2a & 2b: Climograph

Source: http://www.weather.gov/media/aly/Climate/KPSF_Normals_1981-2010.pdf

Task 3: Atmospheric Disturbances

The Hudson River Valley frequently suffers from high winds,

thunderstorms, and occasional tornadoes. The low pressure

systems throughout the east coast cause the cold fronts and

strong winds within the valley. When high pressures create strong

trade winds in lower atmospheres it creates more instability, which

can cause discrete thunderstorms that top off into tornadoes in the

valley. Air masses in this region also have a very large effect on

atmospheric disturbances. The fact that the estuary acts as an

inland wetland helps prevent atmospheric disturbances such as

flooding in this region.

Source: cbsalbany.com wind patterns and tornado

Task 3: Atmospheric Disturbances

Source: http://www.cbs6albany.com/shared/weather/images/maps/ClimateData/weather_historical_daily/2012/Sept8_Severe.html

Task 4: Evapotranspiration and Precipitation

Source: http://ny.water.usgs.gov/pubs/of/of96395/OF96-395.plate2.pdf

Task 4: Mean Annual Precipitation

Source: http://www.weather.gov/images/btv/climo/NY_annual_precip.png

Task 4: Mean Annual Evaporation

Source: https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/NCh/images/NCH-40.fig8.gif

Task 4: Net Moisture Regimes

Source: http://atlas.gwsp.org/atlas/img/map/viwb1_0_wl.png

Task 5: Climate Description

Hudson Valley is a microthermal Dfb climate because of its warmer

summers that are above 71.6 degrees while being humid

continental but with less precipitation in the winters. Precipitation

levels can go down to less than an inch and max out around 6

inches, with an average of 2.6 inches. The average temperature is

about 55 degrees, but in the winter months can get as cold as 18

degrees. Polar easterlies winds are what contribute to the colder

weather.

Source: http://www.cee.cornell.edu/academics/graduate/upload/FinalWindReportSpring2010.pdf

Task 6: Rock Types and Processes

Hudson River Valley is a physiographic section of the Ridge

and Valley province, which is part of the Appalachain region.

The Valley is made up of many different rock types ranging

the south and eastern edges of New York state, cutting

through sandstones, redbeds, and gneisses dating back to

the Triassic and Precambrian eras. Over the centuries and

through the ice ages the rivers have formed a fjord cut

caused by glacial erosion.

Source: http://3dparks.wr.usgs.gov/nyc/valleyandridge/hudsonvalley.htm

Task 6: Rock Types and Processes

● sandstone - sedimentary

● redbed - sedimentary

● gneiss - metamorphic

Source: http://www.co.dutchess.ny.us/CountyGov/Departments/Planning/nrichapthree.pdf

Task 6: New York State Geologic Map

Source: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JY0j7bwFtww/T7Yse-B4ijI/AAAAAAAACRA/HgWAGtfSEaM/s1600/nys.gif

Task 7: Crustal Formation

The valley is basin within the Canadian

shield that was subject to jointing. The basin

was probably caused by lithospheric

stretching.

Source: http://einstein.byu.edu/~masong/htmstuff/textbookpdf/C28.pdf

http://www1.gly.bris.ac.uk/~ibastow/DOCS/Pawlak11.pdf

Task 8: Weathering and mass wasting

I believe that the hudson valley underwent

the process of physical weathering, abrasion

in particular because of the large fjords

within the valley.

Task 9: Streams, Rivers, and Associated Landforms

The Hudson river is a graded river and the most

obvious landform in the Hudson River Valley. The

Hudson river doubles as both a river and a tidal estuary,

but is currently suffering major pollution issues draining

into the Atlantic discharge basin. The spring run-off from

the estuary contributes to the levels of high precipitation

in some months and prevents droughts in others.

Sources: http://www.centralia.edu/academics/earthscience/cheh_geo/lectures/streams.pdf

http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/4923.html

Task 10c: Glacial and periglacial landforms

A glacial landform in the Hudson River Valley is a

fjord, formed by flood in which sea extends and fills

lower reaches of steep valleys. It appeared in this

region because the glacial trough intersected with

the ocean, eroding the landscape below sea level.

Source: Elemental Geosystems book

Task 10c: Glacial and periglacial landforms

Source: http://hikewestchester.myvolition.com/hudson-highlands-state-park-breakneck-ridge-loop/

Task 11: Soil Regimes

The Hudson River Valley is a udic soil regime because it can be

considered a subhumid climate. The specific soil type is alfisols,

which has a moderate to high amount of base saturation and is

moderately weathered with an illuviated clay accumulation. It is

common among high latitudes. If it is supplemented with adequate

precipitation and temperature it can make agriculture extremely

active. In this particular area it would be more likely to produce

grains, hay, and dairy products.

Sources: http://passel.unl.edu/pages/informationmodule.php?idinformationmodule=1130447033&topicorder=11&maxto=13

Task 11: Soil Regimes

Source: same as slide above

Task 12: Plant and animal regimes

The Hudson River Valley is known as a biological crossroads for both plants and

animals. Because of its location it brings together animals of all habitats and houses

over two thousand species. Specifically, the Valley is ranked in the top four

drainages

Sources: http://blog.pennlive.com/midstate_impact/2009/05/large_boxturtle.jpg ,

http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/remediation_hudson_pdf/hrebch3.pdf

in the world for turtle species richness. An

example is the eastern box turtle, pictured to

the left, which is for the most part New York

state specific as it needs several different

types of habitats to live.

Although the valley isn’t in a

coastal region, the fact that it doubles as an

estuary creates housing for many different

coastal species. Examples of these are the

blue crab, hudson river water nymph, least

bittern, and the black-crowned night heron.

Task 12: Plant and animal regimes

Plant harvesting is somewhat of a problem in the valley. As many plant

species die out, it is thought that botanical industries and other commercial

companies are overharvesting plants in the area that they can use to their

advantage (building canoes, tanning of leather, etc.). With that being said,

some of the plants that are currently present are the gayfeather, the native

“pink lady’s sleeper”, hummingbird mint, etc. These are able to survive

because of the estuary and the inland wetlands of the region as well as the

good amount of sunlight that stays within the region for most of the year.

Sources: http://brianaltonenmph.com/6-medical-anthropology/hudson-valley-plant-heritage/,

http://www.hvmag.com/Hudson-Valley-Magazine/June-2010/Habitat-Gardening/

Task 12: Plant and animal regimes

Source: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F94QjaUMpO8/TzgzWpZFlyI/AAAAAAAABgU/3WO5ufzd_Ss/s1600/USDA+hardiness+zone+map.jpg

http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/Images/150dpi/NE_reg_150.jpg

Task 13: References

Task 1: Reference #1: Google earth satellite imagery

Reference #2: http://www.hvedc.org/webpages/map_of_counties.aspx

Reference #3: http://hudsonvalleyweather.com/zone-map/

Task 2: Reference #1: http://pveducation.org/pvcdrom/properties-of-sunlight/calculation-of-solar-insolation

Reference #2: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/IPS/lcd/lcd.html?_page=1&state=NY&stationID=14735

Reference #3: http://www.weather.gov/media/aly/Climate/KGFL_Normals_1981-2010.pdf

Reference #4: http://www.weather.gov/media/aly/Climate/KPSF_Normals_1981-2010.pdf

Task 3: Reference #1: cbsalbany.com wind patterns and tornado

Reference #2: http://www.cbs6albany.com/shared/weather/images/maps/ClimateData/weather_historical_daily/2012/Sept8_Severe.html

Task 4: Reference #1: http://ny.water.usgs.gov/pubs/of/of96395/OF96-395.plate2.pdf

Reference #2: http://www.weather.gov/images/btv/climo/NY_annual_precip.png

Reference #3: https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/NCh/images/NCH-40.fig8.gif

Reference #4: http://atlas.gwsp.org/atlas/img/map/viwb1_0_wl.png

Task 13: References

Task 5 Reference #1: http://www.cee.cornell.edu/academics/graduate/upload/FinalWindReportSpring2010.pdf

Task 6 Reference #1: http://3dparks.wr.usgs.gov/nyc/valleyandridge/hudsonvalley.htm

Reference #2: http://www.co.dutchess.ny.us/CountyGov/Departments/Planning/nrichapthree.pdf

Reference #3: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JY0j7bwFtww/T7Yse-

B4ijI/AAAAAAAACRA/HgWAGtfSEaM/s1600/nys.gif

Task 7 Reference #1: http://einstein.byu.edu/~masong/htmstuff/textbookpdf/C28.pdf

Reference #2: http://www1.gly.bris.ac.uk/~ibastow/DOCS/Pawlak11.pdf

Task 8 Reference #1: http://gsabulletin.gsapubs.org/content/122/7-8/1067.full.pdf

Task 9 Reference #1: http://www.centralia.edu/academics/earthscience/cheh_geo/lectures/streams.pdf

Reference #2: http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/4923.html

Task 10 Reference #1: Elemental Geosystems book

Reference #2: http://hikewestchester.myvolition.com/hudson-highlands-state-park-breakneck-

ridge-loop/

Task 13: ReferencesTask 11 Reference #1: http://passel.unl.edu/pages/informationmodule.php?idinformationmodule=1130447033&topicorder=11&maxto=13

Task 12 Reference #1: http://blog.pennlive.com/midstate_impact/2009/05/large_boxturtle.jpg

Reference #2:

http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/remediation_hudson_pdf/hrebch3.pdf

Reference #3: http://brianaltonenmph.com/6-medical-anthropology/hudson-valley-plant-heritage/

Reference #4: http://www.hvmag.com/Hudson-Valley-Magazine/June-

2010/Habitat-Gardening/

Reference #5: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-

F94QjaUMpO8/TzgzWpZFlyI/AAAAAAAABgU/3WO5ufzd_Ss/s1600/USDA+hardiness+zone+map.jpg

Reference #6: http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/Images/150dpi/NE_reg_150.jpg