Geology

Geology of Connecticut

The State has three major geologic regions—the eastern and western highlands, each composed of older, metamorphic rock, and a central valley, largely composed of basalt overlain by sandstone.

Links

History

  • 1842 James Gates Percival – Report on the Geology of Connecticut
    • In 8 months surveyed the state East to West at 4 mile intervals. The resurveyed again East to West at intervals between the former to bring him in contact with each of the 4600 square miles of the state.
    • He collected estimated 8000 specimens, as well as noted dips, bearings, and formations making it likely the most accurate survey ever conducted of the state
    • However, despite two years of survey and he was “rushed” by the state legislature and wrote a “hasty outline” of over 500 pages
  • 1906 Manual of the Geology of Connecticut and Preliminary Geological Map by William North Rice and Herbert Ernest Gregory
  • 1924 H. H. Robinson – State Geological and Natural History Survey
  • 1977 The Connecticut Assembly names Garnet the state mineral
  • 1985 John Rodgers (compiler) Bedrock Geological Map of Connecticut

Geological Reports of Parks

This page is a work in progress if you’re interested in more information, shoot me an email (see bottom of the page) and let me know how this page could be of better use to you!

Rocky Neck State Park

★★★★★

41.315582, -72.241485

Rocky Neck State Park Connecticut State Park 708 acres in East Lyme, CT Parking: Lots of parking at 244 W Main St, Niantic, CT or more direct access… Read more…

Millers Pond State Park

★★★☆☆

41.479883, -72.629513

Millers Pond State Park Connecticut State Park 280 acres in Durham and Haddam, CT Parking: Large lot at 344 Foot Hills Rd, Durham, CT Trail Map   …

Wadsworth Falls

★★★★☆

721 Wadsworth St, Middletown, CT 06457

Wadsworth Falls State Park Connecticut State Park 285 acres in Middlefield and Middletown, CT Parking: Main park entrance at 770 Wadsworth St. Middletown, CT Easiest access to…

Mashamoquet Brook State Park

★★★☆☆

41.855745, -71.983001

Mashamoquet Brook State Park Connecticut State Park 917 acres in Pomfret, CT Parking: Main Parking: Several lots near 303 Mashamoquet Rd Pomfret, CT Dirt road access close…

Mamacoke Island

★★☆☆☆

41.391195, -72.099637

Mamcoke Island Connecticut State College Arboretum Park 40.5 acres in Waterford, CT Parking: Small pull off near 44 Benham Ave Quaker Hill, CT Trail Map      …

Day Pond State Park

★★★★☆

41.557409, -72.418005

Day Pond State Park / Salmon River State Forest / Comstock Covered Bridge Connecticut State Park and State Forest 180 acres in Colchester, CT Parking: Day Pond…

Bolton Notch State Park

★★★☆☆

41.789576, -72.450194

Bolton Notch State Park Connecticut State Park 95 acres in Bolton, CT Parking: Medium sized lot where Rt 44 meets I-384, before the exit ramp to 6…

Sleeping Giant

★★★★★

200 Mt Carmel Ave, Hamden, CT, USA

Sleeping Giant State Park Connecticut State Park 1,465 acres in Hamden, CT Parking: Main Lot: Large lot at 200 Mt Carmel Ave, Hamden, CT   East End: Small…

Diana’s Pool

★★★★☆

20 Dianas Pool Rd, Chaplin, CT, USA

Diana’s Pool State Designated Water Access 15 acres in Chaplin, CT Parking: Small lot at 20 Dianas Pool Rd Chaplin, CT Trail Map       Trails: Less than…