It has been estimated that Long Island had been formed 20,000 years ago.
Long Island has two shores, a north and a south shore.
The north shore has rockier terrain than the south shore. The distinct difference between the two shores is due to how the glaciers deposited their sedimentation. The Pine Barrens extend from the Hempstead plains to the Hamptons. In the past the Pine Barrens climate was cooler and more moist than it is today. The vegetation consisted of grasses and sedges.