Final answer:
The most recent ice age shaped New Jersey's landscape through glacial activity, creating its ridges, valleys, and fertile soil in the north. The state's climate was cooler and drier, and even after warming.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most recent ice age, part of the Quaternary Period, had a profound effect on New Jersey's land and climate. The cooling climate led to the development of large glaciers that covered much of the state, subsequently shaping its topography.
As glaciers advanced, they scraped and carved the earth beneath them, leaving behind a varied landscape once they retreated. This glacial action resulted in the formation of New Jersey's distinct ridges, valleys, and the fertile soil found in the northern part of the state.
Glaciers also had a significant impact on the climate by creating a cooler, drier environment. After their retreat, the climate slowly warmed up to its current state, but the legacy of these glaciers can still be seen in New Jersey's natural features, such as its lakes, which were formed by melting glaciers.
A notable example is Lake Hopatcong, which is the largest freshwater body in New Jersey and was formed due to glacial activity. In addition, the soil compositions in the state, which range from sands to clays, are in part due to the materials left behind by glacial deposits.