View source for Geography of Vermont

{{Short description|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->
[[File:National-atlas-vermont.png|thumb|Map of Vermont showing cities, roads, and rivers]]
[[File:2017-09-11 10 27 43 View east along the Maple Ridge Trail at the junction with the Frost Trail on the western slopes of Mount Mansfield within Mount Mansfield State Forest in Underhill, Chittenden County, Vermont.jpg|thumb|[[Mount Mansfield]]]]
[[File:CamelsHumpMT 20150426.jpg|thumb|Western face of [[Camel's Hump|Camel's Hump Mountain]] (elevation {{convert|4079|ft|m}}).<ref name="NGS_data">{{cite web|url=https://www.ngs.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/ds_mark.prl?PidBox=PG1684|title=The NGS Data Sheet|access-date=February 11, 2020|publisher=NOAA—National Geodetic Survey (NGS)|location=Silver Spring, Maryland|date=January 15, 2020}}</ref>]]
[[File:LakeWilloughbyPisgah.jpg|thumb|[[Fall foliage]] at [[Lake Willoughby]]]]
The U.S. state of '''[[Vermont]]''' is located in the [[New England]] region of the [[northeastern United States]] and comprises {{convert|9614|sqmi|km2}}, making it the 45th-largest state. It is the only state that [[List of tallest buildings in Vermont|does not have any buildings taller than {{convert|124|ft|m}}]].<ref>[https://archive.today/20120731020924/http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20100907/NEWS02/100906009/Burlington-high-rise-gets-facelift "Burlington high rise gets facelift"], ''Burlington Free Press''.</ref> Land comprises {{convert|9250|sqmi|km2}} and water comprises {{convert|365|sqmi|km2}}, making it the 43rd-largest in land area and the 47th in water area. In total area, it is larger than [[El Salvador]] and smaller than [[Haiti]]. It is the only landlocked state in New England, and it is the easternmost and the smallest in area of all landlocked states. 

Vermont's overall geography can be best characterized as extremely rugged and densely forested, with outposts of civilization centered around rivers and the (relatively) flat and arable Champlain Valley in the northwest, and ultimately divided by the Green Mountains, which contribute to a rural and very much Appalachian landscape. The average elevation of Vermont is 1000 feet above sea level, and the highest elevation is the summit of [[Mount Mansfield]] at 4,395 feet above sea level. 

The [[Green Mountains]] in Vermont form a north–south spine running most of the length of the state, slightly west of its center. In the southwest portion of the state are located the [[Taconic Mountains]].<ref>{{cite book|author=Edward Day Collins|title=A History of Vermont: With Geological and Geographical Notes, Bibliography, Chronology, Maps, and Illustrations|url=https://archive.org/details/ahistoryvermont01collgoog|year=1903|publisher=Ginn|page=[https://archive.org/details/ahistoryvermont01collgoog/page/n87 1]}}</ref> In the northwest, near [[Lake Champlain]], is the fertile [[Champlain Valley]]. In the south of the valley is [[Bomoseen Lake|Lake Bomoseen]]. Many towns and villages in Vermont are separated by (comparatively) lower hills and mountains, connected by rural highways and high passes referred to variously as notches, gaps or gulfs. The endless rugged terrain contributes heavily to Vermont's rural character and acts as a natural barrier to large scale population growth. Indeed, 66% of all mileage of road in Vermont is "paved" with dirt or gravel, and annually results in springtime's [[Mud Season]], where runoff snowmelt causes dirt backroads to become nearly impassable to motor vehicles, often to the amusement of locals. 

Vermont's extremely rugged terrain is the almost certain explanation for why the state has remained so sparsely populated; After [[Maine]], Vermont has the lowest population density of any state east of the [[Mississippi River]]. Burlington, at only ~45,000 people is the largest city, and is situated in the (relatively) flat and populated Champlain Valley. 

The west bank of the [[Connecticut River]] marks the state's eastern border with New Hampshire, though much of the river flows within New Hampshire's territory.<ref>''[[Vermont v. New Hampshire]]'' {{Ussc|289|593|1933}}</ref> 41% of Vermont's land area is part of the Connecticut River's watershed.<ref>[http://crjc.org/facts.htm "Fast Facts about the Connecticut River"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808090409/http://www.crjc.org/facts.htm |date=August 8, 2016}}. Crjc.org (October 9, 2008). Retrieved April 12, 2014.</ref>

[[Lake Champlain]], the sixth-largest body of fresh water in the United States, separates Vermont from New York in the northwest portion of the state. From north to south, Vermont is {{convert|159|mi|km}} long. Its greatest width, from east to west, is {{convert|89|mi|km}} at the Canada–U.S. border; the narrowest width is {{convert|37|mi|km}} near the Massachusetts border. The width averages {{convert|60.5|mi}}. The state's [[Centroid|geographic center]] is approximately three miles (5&nbsp;km) east of [[Roxbury, Vermont|Roxbury]], in [[Washington County, Vermont|Washington County]]. There are [[List of Canada–United States border crossings|fifteen U.S. federal border crossings between Vermont and Canada]].

Several mountains have timberlines with delicate year-round alpine ecosystems, including [[Mount Mansfield]], the highest mountain in the state; [[Killington Peak]], the second-highest; [[Camel's Hump (Vermont)|Camel's Hump]], the state's third-highest; and [[Mount Abraham (Vermont)|Mount Abraham]], the fifth-highest peak.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.greenmountainclub.org/page.php?id=217 |author=Green Mountain Club |title=Alpine Tundra |date=April 24, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119162614/http://www.greenmountainclub.org/page.php?id=217 |archive-date=November 19, 2015 }}</ref> Areas in Vermont administered by the [[National Park Service]] include the [[Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park]] (in [[Woodstock, Vermont|Woodstock]]) and the [[Appalachian Trail by state#Vermont|Appalachian National Scenic Trail]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Vermont |publisher=National Park Service |access-date=July 15, 2008 |url=https://www.nps.gov/state/vt/index.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080616102625/http://www.nps.gov/state/vt/ |archive-date=June 16, 2008}}</ref>

==Settlements==
===Cities===

Vermont has ten incorporated cities.
{{Bar graph
| title = [[List of cities in Vermont|City]] populations ([[2020 United States census|2020 census]])
| data_max = 45,000
| bar_width = 30
| label_type = City
| data_type = Population
| label1 = [[Burlington, Vermont|Burlington]]
| data1 = 44,743
| label2 = [[South Burlington, Vermont|South Burlington]]
| data2 = 20,292
| label3 = [[Rutland (city), Vermont|Rutland]]
| data3 = 15,807
| label4 = [[Essex Junction, Vermont|Essex Junction]]
| data4 = 10,761
| label5 = [[Barre (city), Vermont|Barre]]
| data5 = 8,491
| label6 = [[Montpelier, Vermont|Montpelier]]
| data6 = 8,074
| label7 = [[Winooski, Vermont|Winooski]]
| data7 = 7,997
| label8 = [[St. Albans (city), Vermont|St. Albans]]
| data8 = 6,877
| label9 = [[Newport (city), Vermont|Newport]]
| data9 = 4,455
| label10 = [[Vergennes, Vermont|Vergennes]]
| data10 = 2,553
}}

The most populous city in Vermont is [[Burlington, Vermont|Burlington]]. Its metropolitan area is also the most populous in the state, with an estimate of 225,562 as of 2020. Vermont is the second least densely populated state east of the Mississippi after [[Maine]], with around 68 people per square mile. 

===Largest towns===
[[File:Maps of Vermont population.png|thumb|Population density of Vermont]]
Although these [[New England town|towns]] are large enough to be considered cities, they are not incorporated as such.
{{Bar graph
| title = Large town populations ([[2020 United States Census|2020 census]])
| data_max = 45,000
| bar_width = 30
| width_units = em
| table_style = font-size: 95%
| label_type = Town
| data_type = Population
| label1 = [[Essex, Vermont|Essex]]
| data1 = 22,094
| label2 = [[Colchester, Vermont|Colchester]]
| data2 = 17,524
| label3 = [[Bennington, Vermont|Bennington]]
| data3 = 15,333
| label4 = [[Brattleboro, Vermont|Brattleboro]]
| data4 = 12,184
| label5 = [[Milton, Vermont|Milton]]
| data5 = 10,723
| label6 = [[Hartford, Vermont|Hartford]]
| data6 = 10,686
| label7 = [[Williston, Vermont|Williston]]
| data7 = 10,103
| label8 = [[Middlebury, Vermont|Middlebury]]
| data8 = 9,152
| label9 = [[Springfield, Vermont|Springfield]]
| data9 = 9,062
| label10 = [[Barre (town), Vermont|Barre]]
| data10 = 7,923
| label11 = [[Shelburne, Vermont|Shelburne]]
| data11 = 7,717
| label12 = [[St. Johnsbury, Vermont|St. Johnsbury]]
| data12 = 7,364
| Label13 = [[Swanton, Vermont|Swanton]]
| Data 13 = 6,701
}}

==Climate==

{{See also|Climate of New England}}
[[File:Köppen Climate Types Vermont.png|thumb|[[Köppen climate classification|Köppen climate types]] of Vermont, using 1991–2020 [[Climatological normal|climate normals]].]]
The annual mean temperature for the state is {{convert|43|F|C}}.<ref>{{cite EB1911 |wstitle=Vermont| volume=27 | page=2016}}</ref> Vermont has a [[humid continental climate]], with [[mud season|muddy]] springs, in general a mild early summer, hot Augusts; it has [[autumn in New England|colorful autumns]]: Vermont's hills reveal red, orange, and (on [[sugar maple]]s) gold foliage as cold weather approaches.<ref>{{cite web|title=Study in Vermont. Universities & Colleges in Vermont|url=https://university.graduateshotline.com/vt.html|website=graduateshotline}}</ref> Winters are colder at higher elevations.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://academics.smcvt.edu/vtgeographic/textbook/weather/weather_and_climate_of_vermont.htm |title=accessed September 15, 2007 |publisher=Academics.smcvt.edu |date=July 4, 1911 |access-date=July 31, 2010 |archive-date=August 13, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100813094937/http://academics.smcvt.edu/vtgeographic/textbook/weather/weather_and_climate_of_vermont.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> It has a [[Köppen climate classification]] of Dfb, a temperate continental climate.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://en.climate-data.org/north-america/united-states-of-america/vermont-1063/ |title=Climate: Vermont |publisher=Climate-Data.org |access-date=May 29, 2019 }}</ref> The absolute highest peaks of the Green Mountains that compose arctic tundra are subarctic. 

The rural northeastern section known as the "[[Northeast Kingdom]]" often averages {{convert|10|F-change}} colder than the southern areas of the state during winter. The annual snowfall averages between {{convert|60|and|100|in}} depending on elevation. Vermont is the seventh coldest state in the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.currentresults.com/Weather/US/average-annual-state-temperatures.php |title=Average Annual Temperatures by State |publisher= Current Results |access-date=January 25, 2012}}</ref> [[Lake Champlain]] sometimes causes [[lake-effect snow]] during the winter.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://apollo.lsc.vsc.edu/ams/AMS%20VP/Storm%20Conference/NESC%20Presentations/32ndNESC_Presentation/Abstracts/Payer.pdf |title=A Climatological Study of Lake Champlain Lake-Effect Snow Band Events |first1=Melissa |last1=Payer |first2=Jared |last2=Desrochers |first3=Neil |last3=Laird |website=apollo.lsc.vsc.edu |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080624205855/http://apollo.lsc.vsc.edu/ams/AMS%20VP/Storm%20Conference/NESC%20Presentations/32ndNESC_Presentation/Abstracts/Payer.pdf |archive-date=June 24, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Champlain Powder: The Historic Burlington Vermont Snowfall of 2-3 January 2010 |url=https://www.weather.gov/media/btv/events/02Jan2010/ChamplainPowder.pdf |website=weather.gov}}</ref>

The highest recorded temperature was {{convert|105|F|C}}, at [[Vernon, Vermont|Vernon]], on July 4, 1911. The lowest recorded temperature was {{convert|−50|F|C}}, at [[Bloomfield, Vermont|Bloomfield]], on December 30, 1933; this is the lowest temperature recorded in New England alongside [[Big Black River (Saint John River tributary)|Big Black River]], which recorded a verified {{convert|−50|F|C}} in 2009.<ref>Though this was tied by Big Black River, Maine, in 2009</ref><ref>{{Cite book|author = Adams, Glenn |title = Maine ties Vt. for record low temperature|publisher = Burlington Free Press|date = February 11, 2009}}</ref> The agricultural growing season ranges from 120 to 180 days.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.garden.org/regional/report/description/full/14 |title=National Gardening Association |publisher=Garden.org |access-date=July 31, 2010 |archive-date=June 27, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100627174702/http://www.garden.org/regional/report/description/full/14 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The [[United States Department of Agriculture]] plant [[hardiness zone]]s for the state range between zone 3b, no colder than {{convert|−35|F|C}}, in the [[Northeast Kingdom]] and northern part of the state and zone 5b, no colder than {{convert|-15|F|C}}, in the southern part of the state.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.plantmaps.com/interactive-vermont-usda-plant-zone-hardiness-map.php |title=Vermont USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map |access-date=March 21, 2011}}</ref> The state receives between 2,200 and 2,400 hours of sunshine annually. New England as a whole receives a range of less than 2,000 hours of sunshine in part of New Hampshire to as much as 2,600 hours of sunshine per year in Connecticut and Rhode Island.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://eldoradoweather.com/climate/US%20Climate%20Maps/Lower%2048%20States/Sky%20Cover%20-%20Visibility/Mean%20Total%20Sunshine%20Hours/Gallery/mean-total-sunshine-hours.html |title=Mean Total Sunshine Hours |publisher=El Dorado Weather|access-date=May 29, 2019 }}</ref>

=== Climate change ===
{{Main|Climate change in Vermont}}
[[Climate change in Vermont]] encompasses the [[effects of climate change]], attributed to man-made increases in atmospheric [[carbon dioxide]], in the U.S. state of Vermont.

The state is already seeing effects of climate change that affect its ecosystems, economy and public health. According to the Vermont state government, rainfall has significantly increased in the last 50 years, storms and flooding have increased, and winters have become warmer and shorter.<ref name=":22">{{Cite web|url=https://climatechange.vermont.gov/|title=Climate Change in Vermont {{!}} Climate Change in Vermont|website=climatechange.vermont.gov|access-date=2019-11-23}}</ref> These changes have led to significant impacts on both the winter tourism industry,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://climatechange.vermont.gov/our-changing-climate/what-it-means/tourism|title=Tourism and Recreation {{!}} Climate Change in Vermont|website=climatechange.vermont.gov|access-date=2019-11-23|archive-date=May 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506014315/https://climatechange.vermont.gov/our-changing-climate/what-it-means/tourism|url-status=dead}}</ref> and a decline in critical agricultural and woodland industries like [[maple sugaring]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://climatechange.vermont.gov/our-changing-climate/what-it-means/farms-forests|title=Farms and Forests {{!}} Climate Change in Vermont|website=climatechange.vermont.gov|access-date=2019-11-23|archive-date=May 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506004649/https://climatechange.vermont.gov/our-changing-climate/what-it-means/farms-forests|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Vermont is extremely susceptible to flooding from hurricanes and heavy rainfall due to its mountainous terrain and river valleys where most of the residents live. The state has had multiple devastating floods in recent years, including a major flood on July 10, 2023 and another major flood on the same day a year later, on July 10, 2024. Climate change is expected to increase flooding risks across the state and nation, and Vermonters are working to build communities which are more resilient and prepared for the future. 

The state openly acknowledges and is developing programs that respond to [[global warming]].<ref name="ccVermont">{{Cite web|url=https://climatechange.vermont.gov/|title=Climate Change in Vermont|website=Vermont Official State Website}}</ref> Vermont was one of the first states in the United States to adopt [[greenhouse gas emissions]] goals in 2006.

===Flooding===
The topography and climate make sections of Vermont subject to large-scale [[flooding]]. Incidents include the [[Great Vermont Flood of 1927]], which killed 84 and damaged much of the state's infrastructure,<ref>{{cite web |author=btv webmaster |date=August 1, 2007 |title=National Weather Service—Burlington, VT—The Flood of 1927 |url=http://www.erh.noaa.gov/btv/events/27flood.shtml |access-date=July 31, 2010 |publisher=Erh.noaa.gov}}</ref> the flood of 1973, which covered many of the state's roads in the southeast,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Saxon |first=Wolfgang |date=1973-07-01 |title=9 Die as Storms Touch Off Floods in Northeast States |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1973/07/01/archives/9-die-as-storms-touch-off-floods-in-northeast-states-9-die-as.html |access-date=2022-04-09 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and [[Hurricane Irene|Tropical Storm Irene]] in 2011, which caused substantial damage throughout the state.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Remsen |first=Nancy |date=September 2, 2011 |title=Obama declares disaster in Vermont, federal aid on way |pages=1A |newspaper=Burlington Free Press |location=Burlington, Vermont |url=http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20110901/NEWS02/110901027/Shumlin-asks-Obama-declare-Vermont-major-disaster-area?odyssey=nav%7Chead |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130215162848/http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20110901/NEWS02/110901027/Shumlin-asks-Obama-declare-Vermont-major-disaster-area?odyssey=nav%7Chead |archive-date=February 15, 2013}}</ref> In response to the 1927 flood, the Federal government funded construction of six flood control dams in the state, run by the Army Corps of Engineers.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Klyza |first1=Christopher McGrory |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DIfXBQAAQBAJ&dq=VErmont+flood+control+dams&pg=PA126 |title=The Story of Vermont: A Natural and Cultural History, Second Edition |last2=Trombulak |first2=Stephen C. |date=2015-01-06 |publisher=University Press of New England |isbn=978-1-61168-402-5 |pages=126–7 |language=en}}</ref> These extreme rain and flooding events are expected to [[Climate change in Vermont|get worse with climate change]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vermont Today {{!}} Climate Change in Vermont |url=https://climatechange.vermont.gov/vermont-today |access-date=2022-04-09 |website=climatechange.vermont.gov}}</ref>

===Climate data===
{{Burlington, Vermont weatherbox}}
{{Montpelier, Vermont weatherbox}}

{{Weather box	
| width = auto	
| single line = Yes
| collapsed = Yes 
|location = [[Island Pond, Vermont]]
| Jan record high F  =	58.7
| Feb record high F  =	63.2
| Mar record high F  =	75.7
| Apr record high F  =	83.5
| May record high F  =	85.9
| Jun record high F  =	90.7
| Jul record high F  =	91.0
| Aug record high F  =	89.6
| Sep record high F  =	89.3
| Oct record high F  =	76.8
| Nov record high F  =	66.9
| Dec record high F  =	59.8
| year record high F =	91.0
| Jan high F  =   	23.0
| Feb high F  =   	27.4
| Mar high F  =   	36.4
| Apr high F  =   	50.5
| May high F  =   	63.7
| Jun high F  =   	72.3
| Jul high F  =   	76.3
| Aug high F  =   	74.8
| Sep high F  =   	66.7
| Oct high F  =   	54.0
| Nov high F  =   	41.0
| Dec high F  =   	29.0
| year high F =   	51.4
| Jan mean F  =   	12.1
| Feb mean F  =   	15.1
| Mar mean F  =   	25.1
| Apr mean F  =   	39.3
| May mean F  =   	51.3
| Jun mean F  =   	60.5
| Jul mean F  =   	64.8
| Aug mean F  =  	63.4
| Sep mean F  =   	55.3
| Oct mean F  =   	43.7
| Nov mean F  =   	33.0
| Dec mean F  =   	19.9
| year mean F =   	40.4
| Jan low F  =   	1.2
| Feb low F  =   	2.9
| Mar low F  =   	13.8
| Apr low F  =   	28.2
| May low F  =   	38.9
| Jun low F  =   	48.7
| Jul low F  =   	53.3
| Aug low F  =   	52.1
| Sep low F  =   	43.9
| Oct low F  =   	33.5
| Nov low F  =   	25.0
| Dec low F  =   	10.8
| year low F =   	29.5
| Jan record low F  =	-36.6
| Feb record low F  =	-40.7
| Mar record low F  =	-29.7
| Apr record low F  =	-2.5
| May record low F  =	19.7
| Jun record low F  =	27.0
| Jul record low F  =	32.4
| Aug record low F  =	32.2
| Sep record low F  =	22.5
| Oct record low F  =	14.9
| Nov record low F  =	-9.4
| Dec record low F  =	-27.8
| year record low F =	-40.7
| precipitation colour = green	
| Jan precipitation inch  =   	2.76
| Feb precipitation inch  =   	2.20
| Mar precipitation inch  =   	2.67
| Apr precipitation inch  =   	3.04
| May precipitation inch  =   	3.93
| Jun precipitation inch  =   	4.76
| Jul precipitation inch  =   	4.80
| Aug precipitation inch  =   	4.58
| Sep precipitation inch  =   	4.06
| Oct precipitation inch  =   	4.32
| Nov precipitation inch  =   	3.87
| Dec precipitation inch  =   	3.14
| year precipitation inch =   	44.13
| Jan snow inch = 	26.8
| Feb snow inch = 	24.6
| Mar snow inch = 	23.2
| Apr snow inch = 	5.7
| May snow inch = 	0.4
| Jun snow inch = 	0.0
| Jul snow inch = 	0.0
| Aug snow inch = 	0.0
| Sep snow inch = 	0.0
| Oct snow inch = 	1.7
| Nov snow inch = 	8.2
| Dec snow inch = 	26.8
| year snow inch = 	117.4
| humidity colour = green	
| Jan humidity    =	81.0
| Feb humidity    =	76.7
| Mar humidity    =	68.5
| Apr humidity    =	61.8
| May humidity    =	61.9
| Jun humidity    =	68.0
| Jul humidity    =	71.3
| Aug humidity    =	71.7
| Sep humidity    =	74.1
| Oct humidity    =	73.8
| Nov humidity    =	77.7
| Dec humidity    =	79.6
| year humidity   =	72.2
| Jan dew point F =	7.4
| Feb dew point F =	9.1
| Mar dew point F =	16.2
| Apr dew point F =	27.3
| May dew point F =	38.7
| Jun dew point F =	49.9
| Jul dew point F =	55.3
| Aug dew point F =	54.1
| Sep dew point F =	47.2
| Oct dew point F =	35.9
| Nov dew point F =	26.8
| Dec dew point F =	14.6
| year dew point F =	32.0
| source = PRISM<ref name=prismislandpond>{{cite web |url=http://prism.oregonstate.edu/explorer/|title=PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University|access-date=October 10, 2019 }}</ref>}}

{{Weather box
|location = [[Rutland, Vermont (city)|Rutland]] 
|single line = yes
|collapsed = yes
|Jan record high F = 70
|Feb record high F = 71
|Mar record high F = 86
|Apr record high F = 92
|May record high F = 93
|Jun record high F = 98
|Jul record high F = 98
|Aug record high F = 98
|Sep record high F = 94
|Oct record high F = 87
|Nov record high F = 79
|Dec record high F = 69
|year record high F = 98
|Jan avg record high F = 53
|Feb avg record high F = 54
|Mar avg record high F = 65
|Apr avg record high F = 78
|May avg record high F = 86
|Jun avg record high F = 89
|Jul avg record high F = 90
|Aug avg record high F = 88
|Sep avg record high F = 85
|Oct avg record high F = 76
|Nov avg record high F = 68
|Dec avg record high F = 56
|year avg record high F= 92
|Jan high F = 29.4
|Feb high F = 32.1
|Mar high F = 41.3
|Apr high F = 55.2
|May high F = 67.9
|Jun high F = 75.9
|Jul high F = 80.3
|Aug high F = 78.1
|Sep high F = 70.6
|Oct high F = 58.3
|Nov high F = 46.2
|Dec high F = 35.1
|year high F = 55.9
|Jan mean F = 18.7
|Feb mean F = 20.5
|Mar mean F = 29.7
|Apr mean F = 42.9
|May mean F = 55.1
|Jun mean F = 63.7
|Jul mean F = 68.4
|Aug mean F = 66.3
|Sep mean F = 58.3
|Oct mean F = 46.8
|Nov mean F = 36.1
|Dec mean F = 25.7
|year mean F = 44.4
|Jan low F = 8.0
|Feb low F = 8.8
|Mar low F = 18.1
|Apr low F = 30.6
|May low F = 42.2
|Jun low F = 51.5
|Jul low F = 56.4
|Aug low F = 54.4
|Sep low F = 46.0
|Oct low F = 35.3
|Nov low F = 26.0
|Dec low F = 16.3
|year low F = 32.8
|Jan avg record low F = -14
|Feb avg record low F = -11
|Mar avg record low F = -2
|Apr avg record low F = 18
|May avg record low F = 29
|Jun avg record low F = 38
|Jul avg record low F = 46
|Aug avg record low F = 43
|Sep avg record low F = 32
|Oct avg record low F = 23
|Nov avg record low F = 11
|Dec avg record low F = -4
|year avg record low F= -18
|Jan record low F = −36
|Feb record low F = −30
|Mar record low F = −20
|Apr record low F = 1
|May record low F = 20
|Jun record low F = 28
|Jul record low F = 35
|Aug record low F = 32
|Sep record low F = 23
|Oct record low F = 14
|Nov record low F = −10
|Dec record low F = −30
|year record low F = −36
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 2.69
|Feb precipitation inch = 2.16
|Mar precipitation inch = 2.73
|Apr precipitation inch = 3.11
|May precipitation inch = 3.63
|Jun precipitation inch = 4.26
|Jul precipitation inch = 4.56
|Aug precipitation inch = 3.98
|Sep precipitation inch = 3.41
|Oct precipitation inch = 3.98
|Nov precipitation inch = 2.76
|Dec precipitation inch = 3.02
|year precipitation inch = 40.29
|Jan snow inch = 18.3
|Feb snow inch = 16.0
|Mar snow inch = 13.8
|Apr snow inch = 3.2
|May snow inch = 0.0
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 0.3
|Nov snow inch = 4.7
|Dec snow inch = 18.3
|year snow inch = 74.6
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 13.2
|Feb precipitation days = 10.3
|Mar precipitation days = 11.5
|Apr precipitation days = 11.6
|May precipitation days = 12.9
|Jun precipitation days = 12.7
|Jul precipitation days = 12.2
|Aug precipitation days = 11.0
|Sep precipitation days = 9.9
|Oct precipitation days = 12.6
|Nov precipitation days = 11.5
|Dec precipitation days = 14.0
|year precipitation days = 143.4
|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 9.5
|Feb snow days = 8.0
|Mar snow days = 5.7
|Apr snow days = 1.8
|May snow days = 0.0
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.2
|Nov snow days = 3.0
|Dec snow days = 8.1
|year snow days = 36.3
|Jan snow depth inch = 10
|Feb snow depth inch = 12
|Mar snow depth inch = 11
|Apr snow depth inch = 3
|May snow depth inch = 0
|Jun snow depth inch = 0
|Jul snow depth inch = 0
|Aug snow depth inch = 0
|Sep snow depth inch = 0
|Oct snow depth inch = 0
|Nov snow depth inch = 2
|Dec snow depth inch = 7
|year snow depth inch= 16
|source 1 = [[NOAA]]<ref name=Rutlandnws>
{{cite web
| url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=btv
| title = NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = May 18, 2021}}</ref><ref name=NCEIRutland>
{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00436995&format=pdf
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
| title = Station: Rutland, VT
| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020)
| access-date = May 18, 2021}}</ref>
}}

==Geology==
[[File:WaitsRiverXSection.png|thumb|upright|[[Silurian]] and [[Devonian]] stratigraphy of Vermont]]
{{further|Geology of New England}}

There are five distinct [[physiographic]] regions of Vermont.<ref>{{cite web |title=Physiographic Regions |url=http://academics.smcvt.edu/vtgeographic/textbook/physiographic/wordphysiomap.doc |access-date=June 3, 2018 |archive-date=November 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191113013439/http://academics.smcvt.edu/vtgeographic/textbook/physiographic/wordphysiomap.doc |url-status=dead }}</ref> Categorized by geological and physical attributes, they are the Northeastern Highlands, the Green Mountains, the [[Taconic Mountains]], the Champlain Lowlands, and the Vermont Piedmont.<ref>{{cite web|title=Academics Content Server at Saint Michael's|website=The Physiographic Regions of Vermont|url=http://academics.smcvt.edu/vtgeographic/textbook/physiographic/physiographic_regions_of_vermont.htm|access-date=January 3, 2007|archive-date=May 14, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514235917/http://academics.smcvt.edu/vtgeographic/textbook/physiographic/physiographic_regions_of_vermont.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

About 500 million years ago, Vermont was part of [[Laurentia]] and located in the tropics.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Joel Banner |last=Baird |title=Tremors of discovery |url=http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20110724/GREEN01/107240301/Tremors-Discovery-Lone-Rock-Point-bears-scars-ancient-earthly-disruptions |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120723202151/http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20110724/GREEN01/107240301/Tremors-Discovery-Lone-Rock-Point-bears-scars-ancient-earthly-disruptions |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 23, 2012 |newspaper=[[Burlington Free Press]] |location=Burlington, Vermont |pages=1–3D |date=July 24, 2011 }}</ref> The central and southern Green Mountain range include the oldest rocks in Vermont, formed about one billion years ago during the first mountain building period (or orogeny). Subsequently, about {{Nowrap|400 million}} years ago, the second mountain building period created Green Mountain peaks that were {{convert|15000|-|20000|ft}} tall, three to four times their current height and comparable to the [[Himalayas]]. The geological pressures that created those peaks remain evident as the [[Champlain Thrust]], running north–south to the west of the mountains (now the eastern shore of Lake Champlain). It is an example of geological fault thrusting where bedrock is pushed over the newer rock formation.

As a result of tectonic formation, Vermont east of the Green Mountains tends to be formed from rocks produced in the [[Silurian]] and [[Devonian]] periods, and western Vermont mainly from the older [[Pre-Cambrian]] and [[Cambrian]] material.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.anr.state.vt.us/dec/geo/images/gengeo52.pdf |title=Generalized geologic map of Vermont |access-date=February 23, 2012 |archive-date=April 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405135709/http://www.anr.state.vt.us/dec/geo/images/gengeo52.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> Several large deposits within the state contain granite.<ref>{{cite web |title=Granite {{!}} Department of Environmental Conservation |url=https://dec.vermont.gov/geological-survey/resources-energy/minres/granite |website=dec.vermont.gov |publisher=Department of Environmental Conservation |access-date=March 3, 2020}}</ref> The remains of the [[Chazy Formation]] can be observed in [[Isle La Motte, Vermont|Isle La Motte]]. It was one of the first tropical reefs. It is the site of the limestone Fisk Quarry, which contains a collection of ancient marine fossils, such as [[Stromatoporoidea|stromatoporoids]], that date to {{Nowrap|200 million}} years ago. At one point, Vermont is believed to have been connected to Africa ([[Pangaea]]); the fossils found and the rock formations found on the coasts in both Africa and America are evidence affirming the Pangaea theory.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.anr.state.vt.us/dec/geo/monkton/monktonmain.htm |title=Geology and Mineral Resources—Vermont Geological Survey |publisher=Anr.state.vt.us |access-date=January 25, 2012 |archive-date=December 30, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111230180108/http://www.anr.state.vt.us/dec/geo/monkton/monktonmain.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Slayton |first=Thomas |url=http://northernwoodlands.org/outside_story/article/vermonts-farmers-have-geology-to-thank |title=The Outside Story &#124; Vermont's Farmers Have Geology to Thank |publisher=Northern Woodlands |date=December 1, 2009 |access-date=January 25, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uvm.edu/landscape/learn/Downloads/BRIEFGeologicHistory.pdf |title=Report |website=uvm.edu}}</ref>

In the past four centuries, Vermont has experienced a few earthquakes, rarely centered under the state. The highest ranked, in 1952, had a [[Richter magnitude scale]] 6.0 and was based in Canada.<ref name="bfp100624">{{cite news|title=Canada quake shakes Vt.|newspaper=Burlington Free Press|location=Burlington, Vermont|pages= 1A,4A|date=June 24, 2010}}</ref>

==Wildlife==
===Fauna===
[[File:Hermit Thrush (13635301894).jpg|thumb|The [[hermit thrush]], the state bird of Vermont]]
The state contains 41 species of [[reptile]]s and [[amphibian]]s (including the [[spring peeper]]), 89 species of [[fish]], of which 12 are non native;<ref name="c101124">{{Cite news | first=Joseph | last=Gresser | title=How all those fish got to Vermont | publisher=the chronicle | location=Barton, Vermont | page= 17 | date=November 24, 2010 }}</ref> 193 species of breeding birds, 58 species of mammals (including  [[American black bear|black bears]], [[eastern chipmunk]]s, [[coyote]]s, [[Fisher (animal)|fishers]], [[Red fox|red]] and [[gray fox]]es, [[porcupine]]s, and [[Groundhog|woodchucks]]), more than 15,000 insect species (including [[luna moth]]s), and 2,000 higher plant species, plus fungi, algae, and 75 different types of natural communities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/about_history.cfm |title=Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department |publisher=Vtfishandwildlife.com |access-date=July 31, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100522031818/http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/about_history.cfm |archive-date=May 22, 2010 }}</ref> Vermont contains one species of venomous snake, the [[timber rattlesnake]], which is confined to a few acres in western [[Rutland County, Vermont|Rutland County]].<ref>{{cite news|first=Candace|last=Page|title=Sightings of milk snakes, rattlesnake mimics, shake residents|newspaper=Burlington Free Press|location=Burlington, Vermont|pages= 1B|date=July 9, 2009}}</ref>

Wildlife has suffered because of human development of the state. By the mid-19th century, [[wild turkey]]s were exterminated in the state through [[overhunting]] and [[destruction of habitat]]. Sixteen were re-introduced in 1969, and had grown to a flock estimated to number 45,000 in 2009.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Hunting Wild Turkeys|publisher=Newport Daily Express|location=Newport, Vermont|pages= THREE, HUNTING GUIDE|date=September 2009}}</ref> In 2013, hunters killed 6,968 of these.<ref>{{Cite news | last= Fish and Wildlife| title=Turkey hunters had record year | newspaper=The Chronicle | location=Barton, Vermont | pages= 31A | date=January 15, 2014 }}</ref> Since 1970, reduction of farmland has resulted in reduced environment for, and resulted in a decline in numbers of various [[shrubland]] birds, including the [[American woodcock]], [[brown thrasher]], [[eastern towhee]], [[willow flycatcher]], [[golden-winged warbler]], [[blue-winged warbler]], [[field sparrow]], and [[Baltimore oriole]].<ref>{{cite news|first=Candace|last=Page|title=Saving shrubland|newspaper=Burlington Free Press|location=Burlington, Vermont|pages= 1B|date=July 6, 2010}}</ref> [[Osprey]]s, whose eggs were previously damaged by [[DDT]], began to reappear in 1998 and by 2010 were no longer endangered in the state.<ref>{{cite news|first=Natalie |last=Diblasio |title=Lake Arrowhead failure is first in 12 years |url=http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20100730/NEWS02/100729036/Ospreys-fail-to-reproduce-at-Lake-Arrowhead |newspaper=Burlington Free Press |location=Burlington, Vermont |pages=1B |date=July 30, 2010 }}{{dead link|date=March 2017 |bot=Beta7 |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

Several species have declined or disappeared from the state, including bats, many of which have been killed by [[white-nose syndrome]],<ref>{{cite news|first=Candace |last=Page |title=Bats struggle to survive |url=http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20100727/NEWS02/7270303/Bats-struggle-to-survive |newspaper=Burlington Free Press |location=Burlington, Vermont |pages=1B,4B |date=July 27, 2010 }}{{dead link|date=March 2017 |bot=Beta7 |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> the [[New England cottontail]], out-competed by the [[eastern cottontail rabbit]],<ref>{{Cite news | first=Elizabeth | last=Macalaster | title=New England cottontail: Rabbit, come back! | newspaper=the Chronicle | location=Barton, Vermont | page= 15 | date=April 11, 2012 }}</ref> and the [[Bombus terricola|yellow-banded bumblebee]], gone as one of 19 species of bee in decline.<ref name="BoBt">{{cite web| title = Bumble bees: yellowbanded bumble bee (Bombus terricola)
 | publisher = Xerces Society
 | url = http://www.xerces.org/yellow-banded-bumble-bee/
 | access-date = April 5, 2014
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140424192028/http://www.xerces.org/yellow-banded-bumble-bee/
 | archive-date = April 24, 2014
| url-status = dead
 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | first=Bethany | last=Dunbar | title=Keep an eye out for rare bumblebees | newspaper=the Chronicle | location=[[Barton, Vermont]] | pages= 2C | date=April 24, 2013 }}</ref>

Invasive species and organisms include the Asian [[Drosophila suzukii|spotted-wing drosophila]], a destroyer of crops,<ref>{{Cite news | first=Joseph | last=Gresser | title=Tiny pest cuts through New England fruit | newspaper=The Chronicle | location=[[Barton, Vermont]] | pages= 1B | date=April 24, 2013 }}</ref> and [[eastern equine encephalitis virus]] whose [[antibodies]] were found in moose or deer in each of Vermont's counties.<ref name="VTHealth">{{cite web
 | last = Secretary
 | title = Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus Deer and Moose Serosurvey Project
 | publisher = Vermont Department of Public Health
 | year = 2014
 | url = http://healthvermont.gov/prevent/arbovirus/eee/surv/serosurvey.aspx
 | access-date = April 9, 2014
 | archive-date = April 13, 2014
 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140413155445/http://healthvermont.gov/prevent/arbovirus/eee/surv/serosurvey.aspx
 | url-status = dead
 }}</ref>

===Flora===

Vermont is in the [[temperate broadleaf and mixed forests]] [[biome]]. Much of the state, in particular the Green Mountains, is covered by the [[conifer]]s and [[northern hardwood forest|northern hardwoods]] of the [[New England-Acadian forests]]. The western border with New York and the area around Lake Champlain lies within the [[Eastern Great Lakes lowland forests]]. The southwest corner of the state and parts of the Connecticut River are covered by [[northeastern coastal forests]] of mixed [[Quercus|oak]].<ref name="ecoregions">{{cite journal|author1=Olson, D. M |author2=E. Dinerstein |title=Terrestrial Ecoregions of the World: A New Map of Life on Earth |journal=[[BioScience]] |year=2001 |volume=51 |issue=11 |pages=933–938 |doi=10.1641/0006-3568(2001)051[0933:TEOTWA]2.0.CO;2 |display-authors=etal |doi-access=free }}</ref>

Invasive [[Lonicera japonica|wild honeysuckle]] has been deemed a threat to the state's forests, native species of plants, and wildlife.<ref>{{cite news|first=Larson|last=Dimarlo|title=Using undiluted herbicides to fight invasive species|newspaper=Burlington Free Press|location=Burlington, Vermont|pages=2D |date=June 13, 2010}}</ref> Many of Vermont's rivers, including the [[Winooski River]], have been subjected to man-made barriers to prevent flooding.{{citation needed|date=October 2017}}

[[Climate change]] appears to be affecting the maple sugar industry. [[Sugar maple]]s have been subject to stress by [[acid rain]], [[asian longhorn beetle]]s, and [[Thripidae|pear thrips]]. In 2011, the deer herd had grown too large for habitat, and many resorted to eating bark to survive the winter, destroying trees in the process. In addition, the sugar maples need a certain period of cold to produce sap for maple syrup. The time to tap these trees has shrunk to one week in some years. The tree may be replaced by the more aggressive [[Norway maple]]s, in effect forcing the sugar maples to "migrate" north to Canada.<ref>{{Cite news | first=Keith | last=Winston | title=Wildlife habitats shift as winters grow warmer | url=http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20111129/COLUMNISTS01/311290015/Keith-Winsten-Wildlife-habitats-shift-winters-grow-warmer | newspaper=[[Florida Today]] | location=Melbourne, Florida | pages=7B | date=November 29, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111130061627/http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20111129/COLUMNISTS01/311290015/Keith-Winsten-Wildlife-habitats-shift-winters-grow-warmer | archive-date=November 30, 2011 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Geology of New England]]
* [[Adirondack Mountains]]
* [[Climate of Massachusetts]]
* [[List of counties in Vermont]]
* [[List of towns in Vermont]]
* [[List of mountains of Vermont]]

==References==
{{reflist}}
{{notelist}}

[[Category:Geography of Vermont]]