Long Island, New York
Ages ago, what is now New England and New York State was covered by the great Wisconsin glacier. About ten thousand years ago the glaciers melted leaving behind sand, rock and soil resulting in differences between north shore and south shore beaches. Most of the bedrock that lies under eastern Long Island Sound is believed to consist of metamorphic and igneous rocks of pre-Mesozoic age.
Orient Beach
Orient Beach (41 9’20.21″N 72 14’21.22″W)
Sand from a specific area of Orient Beach.
Deeply colored reddish sand from Orient Beach.
This sample is a heavy-mineral sand, rich in high-density mineral grains. The dark red grains are garnets (likely almandine garnets), and some appear faceted—remnants of their original, 12-sided dodecahedron crystal shape. The black grains are iron minerals: magnetite and hematite. Some of the clear grains are quartz; amber-colored grains are smoky quartz. Other small clear grains are zircons; these fluoresce yellow-orange under UV light.
This sample is a heavy-mineral sand, rich in high-density mineral grains. The dark red grains are garnets (likely almandine garnets), and some appear faceted—remnants of their original, 12-sided dodecahedron crystal shape. The black grains are iron minerals: magnetite and hematite. Some of the clear grains are quartz; amber-colored grains are smoky quartz. Other small clear grains are zircons; these fluoresce yellow-orange under UV light.
This sample is a heavy-mineral sand, rich in high-density mineral grains. The dark red grains are garnets (likely almandine garnets), and some appear faceted—remnants of their original, 12-sided dodecahedron crystal shape. The black grains are iron minerals: magnetite and hematite. Some of the clear grains are quartz; amber-colored grains are smoky quartz. Other small clear grains are zircons; these fluoresce yellow-orange under UV light.
Montauk Beach
Montauk Beach, Long Island
Sand from Montauk Beach.
Montauk Point Lighthouse, Long Island, New York
Montauk Beach sand is primarily clear quartz sand grains along with occasional pink, amber and black sand grains. Black inclusions are easily seen in some quartz grains.
Montauk Beach sand is primarily clear quartz sand grains along with occasional pink, amber and black sand grains. Black inclusions are easily seen in some quartz grains.
Montauk Beach sand is primarily clear quartz sand grains along with occasional pink, amber and black sand grains. Black inclusions are easily seen in some quartz grains.