Generalized Lithology and Lithogeochemical Character of Near-Surface Bedrock in the New England Region

This geographic information system (GIS) data layer shows the dominant
lithology and geochemical, termed lithogeochemical, character of near-surface
bedrock in the New England region covering the states of Connecticut, Maine,
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. The bedrock units in
the map are generalized into groups based on their lithological composition
and, for granites, geochemistry. Geologic provinces are defined as
time-stratigraphic groups that share common features of age of formation,
geologic setting, tectonic history, and lithology.

This data set incorporates data from digital maps of two NAWQA study areas, the
New England Coastal Basin (NECB) and the Connecticut, Housatonic, and Thames
River Basins (CONN) areas and extends data to cover the states of Connecticut,
Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. The result is a
regional dataset for the lithogeochemical characterization of New England (the
layer named NE_LITH). Polygons in the final coverage are attributed according
to state, drainage area, geologic province, general rock type, lithogeochemical
characteristics, and specific bedrock map unit.

[Summary provided by the USGS.]