The Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has identified nearly 40 circular structures on the floor of Lake Michigan, according to a report by Live Science.
In 2022, NOAA researchers conducting a survey of the Great Lakes used sonar to detect unusual circular depressions on the lakebed. These depressions, which measure between 91 meters (300 feet) and 183 meters (600 feet) in diameter, also attracted the attention of a shipwreck hunter at the time. However, it is only recently that scientists have been able to study them more thoroughly.
During an expedition in August 2024, the team identified approximately 40 of these features, which are thought to be sinkholes formed through natural geological processes. Located about 22.5 kilometers (14 miles) southeast of Sheboygan, the formations are aligned in a line extending toward Port Washington.
“There were dozens of them in our search grid,” said Brendon Baillod, the shipwreck hunter
who first spotted them in 2022, during an interview with Live Science. “Most ranged between 500 and 1,000 feet (152 to 309 meters) in diameter and were irregular in shape.”
The US Geological Survey identifies sinkholes as common in “karst terrain,” where soluble rocks like limestone dissolve due to groundwater.
Lake Michigan’s limestone bedrock is a prime example, explaining the formation of these unique geological features. Similar sinkholes in Lake Huron host distinct microbial ecosystems, reminiscent of Earth 2.5 billion years ago, dominated by bacteria, archaea, and eukarya.
Research on Lake Huron’s Middle Island Sinkhole revealed that microorganisms thrive in oxygen-poor, sulfur-rich groundwater, with a notable presence of Phormidium autumnale, a photosynthetic cyanobacterium that forms a purple mat.
These organisms convert dissolved CO2 into organic carbon, demonstrating adaptability in various environments, from Yellowstone National Park to Antarctica.
Scientists believe that Lake Michigan’s sinkh
oles may harbor similar microbial life. Further investigation is needed to explore these ecosystems, which could provide valuable insights into early Earth conditions, highlighting the ecological importance of these formations in understanding our planet’s geological and biological history.
Source: Oman News Agency
