Final answer:
Plate tectonics played a role in the formation of New Jersey, specifically during the Alleghenian Orogeny when the collision of tectonic plates caused faulting and folding of rocks.
Step-by-step explanation:
Plate tectonics plays a significant role in the formation of New Jersey. The state is located at the boundary of the North American and African tectonic plates. During the Alleghenian Orogeny, which occurred about 250 million years ago, the collision of these plates caused the faulting and folding of rocks in the Valley and Ridge Province and the Highlands of New Jersey. This tectonic activity contributed to the formation of the state's geologic features.