Geography of Long Island

Long Island contains four counties, of which the western two are boroughs (Queens and Brooklyn) of New York City, and the other two (Nassau and Suffolk) are mainly suburban.

These moraines consist of gravel and loose rock left behind during the two most recent pulses of Wisconsin glaciation some 21,000 years ago (19,000 BC).

Long Island contains a series of sand and gravel aquifers, geologic formations which can hold, transmit, and yield water in usable quantities.

Almost four million gallons each day are taken from beneath Nassau and Suffolk Counties, providing the primary source of water for the resident population.

Both Nassau and Suffolk counties have long recognized their dependence on the aquifers and have stipulated that recharge basins (known locally as sumps[2]) be built to collect ground water.

Due to contamination associated with development, concern to preserve the quality of Long Island's groundwater has become the single most important factor limiting the region's growth.

[4] Long Island has a climate similar to other coastal areas in the Northeast; it has hot and humid summers and cool to cold winters.

The Atlantic Ocean helps bring afternoon sea breezes to the immediate south shore that temper the heat in the warmer months.

This is due to two factors: the western part is closer to the mainland, and it is more densely developed, causing the "urban heat island" effect.

In many winters one or more intense storms (called a Nor'easter) produce blizzard conditions with snowfalls of 1–2 feet (30–60 cm) and near-hurricane force winds.

In September 2006, the remnants of Hurricane Ernesto swept through the area, causing several temporary power outages on parts of the island.