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The rugged landscape has endured extensive periods of volcanic activity, mountain building, erosion, sedimentation, and at least four major glaciations. The last of these, ten to twelve thousand years ago, is responsible for the present land forms of sculpted mountains, flat plateaus and carved valleys. Elevation ranges from sea-level on the Maine and Maritime coast to over 5000 feet on a few isolated peaks. The extensive but ancient mountain ranges are composed of granites and metamorphic rocks overlain by a thin veneer of glacial till. Most of the glacially broadened valleys are plugged with deep morainal or outwash deposits giving rise to thousands of swamps, bogs, lakes and ponds. Additionally, the region includes in the US alone over 68,000 miles of rivers and streams and at least 8000 lakes and ponds covering over a million acres.