Rutan Hill, Volcanic hill in Sussex County, New Jersey, USA
Rutan Hill is a volcanic hill located in Sussex County in northern New Jersey. The formation rises roughly 270 feet above the surrounding creek valley and reaches an elevation of 1,020 feet in this hilly landscape.
The hill was formed roughly 420 million years ago through volcanic activity during the late Ordovician period at the end of the Taconic Orogeny. These ancient geological events shaped the landscape we see today.
The area around Rutan Hill was home to indigenous peoples long before European settlers arrived. Their presence can still be felt through local stories and discoveries that visitors occasionally encounter.
Rutan Hill remains privately owned with restricted public access marked by signs throughout the grounds. Visitors should check whether access is available with special permission before planning a visit to the site.
The hill forms part of the Beemerville Alkaline Complex and hosts the largest surface expression of lamprophyric diatremes within this geological formation. This rare mineral composition makes it particularly notable for rock enthusiasts and geology researchers.
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