Deposits of sand and gravel are widespread in the New England-New York regions and constitute one of its principal mineral resources. Most of the pits are operated intermittently to supply local needs. Because of the great number and variety of known deposits, and because they have been worked at countless points it is impracticable to describe in detail either the deposits or the individual pits. On the other hand, a broad description of the geologic modes of occurrence with relation to the regional geology will serve adequately to indicate the importance of the resource in the regional economy and development. Except for some special sands, such as "glass sand", certain molding and foundry sands, et. al., for which restrictive textural, compositional and physical properties are required, sand and gravel are used chiefly for local construction and are not commonly transported for long distances.
Sand and gravel deposits of the region fall into four principal genetic categories - e.g., glacial, alluvial, marine, and aeolian. Of these, deposits of glacial origin are by far the most widespread and important.
