Researchers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL) have discovered approximately 40 circular sinkholes at the bottom of Lake Michigan, located about 22.5 kilometers southeast of Sheboygan. These unusual depressions, identified during an August 2022 survey, measure between 91 to 183 meters in diameter and are believed to have formed through natural geological processes.
The sinkholes were first noticed by shipwreck hunter Brendon Baillod, who described them as irregularly shaped formations scattered across the lakebed. Scientists speculate that these sinkholes formed due to groundwater circulation in the region’s limestone bedrock, a common feature in “karst terrain,” where soluble rocks such as limestone and gypsum dissolve over time.
The discovery of these sinkholes echoes similar formations found in Lake Huron, which host unique microbial ecosystems thriving in oxygen-poor, sulfur-rich environments. These microbial communities, dominated by cyanobacteria and methane-producing Archaea, resemble conditions on Earth billions of years ago.
While further research is needed to determine whether Lake Michigan’s sinkholes harbor similar life forms, scientists believe these formations may provide critical insights into early Earth environments and the evolution of microbial life.
This finding adds to the growing body of research exploring the underwater landscapes of the Great Lakes and their potential to reveal untold stories of our planet’s past.
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