204 Quaternary Formations of Southern New Jersey. 



coating over Cretaceous benches. In the valleys of the several 

 streams which join to make Hop Brook, the formation is repre- 

 sented best along the streams from the north. 



At and above the junction of the three principal branches of 

 Hop Brook, the terrace material is abundant, and rises to 90 feet 

 on the slopes. There is here some suggestion of terraces at dif- 

 ferent levels, but they are not persistent. Up the brook that has 

 its source near Craw fords Corner, the deposits are almost con- 

 tinuous from Phalanx to the heads of the valleys, rising to eleva- 

 tions of 160 or 170 feet. The deposits are rarely 10 feet deep, 

 but are so disposed on the sloping surface of the Cretaceous as 

 to develop feeble terraces. The terrace form is distinct opposite 

 the mouth of Willow Brook, and opposite and just south of 

 Holmdel, where the altitude is 90 feet. The material is glau- 

 conitic sand and gravel, the latter containing much ironstone, 

 which looks as if freshly worn. A mile northeast of Holmdel, 

 just west of the 157-foot hill, 20 feet of the formation have been 

 seen in temporary exposures, the material being loose sand and 

 gravel. Comparable depths are shown at a few points farther 

 north. 



On the whole, the deposits of this valley are what might be 

 expected along a stream heading] in such high hills of loose 

 material. They are not such as to demand a special epoch of 

 deposition. It is to be noted that the terraces rise up the stream 

 (30 feet at Phalanx to 170 at Craw fords Corner) at a rate 

 which is harmonious with the gradient of the stream. 



Willow Brook. — This branch of Hop Brook heads in the high 

 hills about Beacon Hill, and has a high gradient down to its 

 junction with Hop Brook. At the junction of Hop Brook with 

 the brook from Crawfords Corner, the surface of the Cape May 

 formation has an elevation of about 60 feet between the two 

 creeks, and its base an elevation of about 50 feet. For 3 miles up 

 stream, the right bank of Willow Creek has little Cape May ma- 

 terial but along the left bank, the lower part of the slope is 

 mantled with it. Near the stream, sands and gravels predom- 

 inate, and back from the stream, loam. 



