Michigan
Scientists just discovered cold, dark sinkholes in Lake Michigan. What’s living in them?
![Scientists just discovered cold, dark sinkholes in Lake Michigan. What’s living in them? Scientists just discovered cold, dark sinkholes in Lake Michigan. What’s living in them?](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/08/26/PMJS/74953241007-lm-sinkholes-1.jpg?auto=webp&crop=4031,2269,x0,y377&format=pjpg&width=1200)
Virtual model shows shipwrecked Margaret A. Muir in Lake Michigan
A 3D photogrammetry model shows the Margaret A. Muir wreck site in Lake Michigan. The Muir sank in 1893 and was rediscovered on May 12, 2024.
Wisconsin Historical Society
One of the most amazing discoveries about the Great Lakes is that there are so many discoveries to be made.
The latest: sinkholes at the bottom of Lake Michigan.
On Aug. 21, a team of scientists confirmed there are more than 40 sinkholes on the lakebed in the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary.
This isn’t the first time sinkholes have been found in the Great Lakes. In 2001, scientists found sinkholes at the bottom of Lake Huron in the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Lake Huron’s sinkholes have attracted the attention of scientists ever since, especially once they found dancing bacteria in them.
You read that right. It’s kind of like a tango.
So, how did scientists find the Lake Michigan sinkholes? How big are they? And do they know what’s hiding in them?
We answer 10 questions.
More: We know more about the surface of Mars than about the floor of Lake Michigan. But what we do know is remarkable.
When were Lake Michigan’s sinkholes discovered?
In 2022, researchers with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration were out surveying the lakebed in the Wisconsin’s marine sanctuary when circular depressions showed up on sonar scans.
The depressions stretched for miles, piquing everyone’s curiosity, said Russ Green, superintendent with the marine sanctuary. A shipwreck hunter who was out looking for a wreck also noted them at about the same time, Green said.
The first time scientists were able to take a closer look was on Aug. 21. Using a remotely operated vehicle, they confirmed they are in fact sinkholes.
They were “perfect, little circles,” said Steve Ruberg, a scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory.
More: Wisconsin’s national marine sanctuary is a museum beneath the water. Here’s what to know.
Where are the sinkholes?
The sinkholes are about 14 miles southeast of Sheboygan, roughly 450 feet below the surface. They extend south in a line towards Port Washington.
How big are they?
The sinkholes range in size from 300 to 600 feet across.
The scientists found roughly 40, although Ruberg said there are likely more.
How do sinkholes in the Great Lakes form?
Whether it’s on land or on the lake bottom, sinkholes form when water dissolves rock, causing the surface layer to collapse and form a hole.
Lake Michigan sits on a layer of limestone bedrock. Over time, groundwater flowing under the lake erodes the bedrock, forming caverns, Ruberg said. Eventually, parts of the ceilings collapsed, forming sinkholes.
Does anything live in the sinkholes?
Not many organisms can withstand the cold, dark and oxygen-deprived conditions.
However, the temperature holds at a fairly constant 38 degrees Fahrenheit at the bottom, Ruberg said, and there are a few critters that “doing their thing in the dark down there.” There are freshwater shrimp, known as opossum shrimp as well as deepwater sculpin, which is a small fish. And of course, invasive quagga mussels survive.
Scientists expect there are also bacteria that can handle extreme environments, but they have yet to explore what kinds.
Can the sinkholes cause problems in the lake?
It’s not yet clear how the sinkholes contribute to the lake’s ecosystem, chemistry and water levels.
In Lake Huron, the groundwater that flows through the sinkholes have high levels of salt and sulfur, Ruberg said.
It’s possible that the groundwater seeping in through the sinkholes will contribute to lake levels in a “very small way, but it’s part of the whole equation we use to see where the lake levels are potentially going to go,” Ruberg said.
So far, the scientists haven’t found groundwater coming out of the sinkholes that they were able to explore, but they will likely find some when they get out deeper, Ruberg said.
There are dancing bacteria in Lake Huron’s sinkholes?
There sure are. But scientifically, it’s referred to as microbial migration.
At the bottom of Lake Huron’s Middle Island sinkhole, there are mats of purple-colored cyanobacteria that produce oxygen from sunlight. There are also white-colored bacteria that eat sulfur to get energy. The bacteria are a kind of carpet on the lake floor.
Scientists discovered that the bacteria flip-flop twice a day to compete with each other. In the early evening hours, the purple bacteria rise, blocking the white bacteria’s access to sunlight. When the sun comes out, they switch positions; the white sulfur-eaters move below and the purple cyanobacteria can start producing oxygen again.
The two bacteria do that “tango” every day, completely changing the color of the mat, said Greg Dick, a professor at the University of Michigan and director of the Cooperative Institute of Great Lakes Research.
It’s not uncommon to see animals migrate on a daily basis, Dick said, but it’s not often seen with microbes.
When it comes to the sinkholes in Lake Michigan, scientists have just begun to explore them. So it’s unclear whether bacteria do a daily dance − or other unheard of things.
What will scientists explore next?
Ruberg believes the sinkholes in Lake Michigan are probably similar to the ones in Lake Huron, but scientists won’t know for sure until they investigate further — one of their many next steps. Another avenue of exploration will be to see how much salt and sulfur is seeping into Lake Michigan, he said.
But Ruberg said there is a chance they will find something that’s never been seen in the Great Lakes before.
What can we learn from Great Lakes sinkholes?
The sinkholes are valuable natural laboratories.
“It’s an extreme environment,” Dick said. “We typically have to go to Antarctica or Yellowstone National Park or some exotic location to get these extreme ecosystems, but this is in our backyard in the Great Lakes.”
The dark, low-oxygen and sulfur-rich conditions in the deep sinkholes are similar to early conditions on Earth, Dick said. They can help scientists learn more about Earth’s early history before there was oxygen.
More: Want to explore a Lake Michigan shipwreck? Wisconsin’s marine sanctuary just made it easier.
Haven’t the bottom of the Great Lakes been explored?
Not really.
In fact, only 15% of the bottom of the Great Lakes has been mapped in high resolution. Scientists have said they know more about the surface of Mars than they do about the bottom of the largest fresh surface water system on earth.
But that may soon change.
The Lakebed 2030 Initiative by the Great Lakes Observing System, or GLOS, is an effort by scientists, agencies and other organizations to map and fully explore the lake bottoms.
And two Michigan representatives proposed a bipartisan bill earlier this year that would authorize $200 million to map the bottoms of all five lakes. The lakes could be mapped within eight years with proper funding, according to a 2021 report by the observing system.
Until then, there will likely be many more discoveries.
More: Lake Michigan shipwreck hunters discover historic schooner unseen for 131 years
Caitlin Looby is a Report for America corps member who writes about the environment and the Great Lakes. Reach her at clooby@gannett.com or follow her on X @caitlooby.
Please consider supporting journalism that informs our democracy with a tax-deductible gift to this reporting effort at jsonline.com/RFA or by check made out to The GroundTruth Project with subject line Report for America Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Campaign. Address: The GroundTruth Project, Lockbox Services, 9450 SW Gemini Dr, PMB 46837, Beaverton, Oregon 97008-7105.
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Michigan
‘He’s been phenomenal’: Michigan Football has its second starting cornerback opposite Will Johnson
![‘He’s been phenomenal’: Michigan Football has its second starting cornerback opposite Will Johnson ‘He’s been phenomenal’: Michigan Football has its second starting cornerback opposite Will Johnson](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_4255,h_2393,x_0,y_121/c_fill,w_1440,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/wolverine_digest/01j68j0kxptakkw1nx89.jpg)
Michigan has arguably the best cornerback in all of college football in first team All-American Will Johnson, but one of the few question mark on the Wolverines’ defense heading into 2024 was who would start opposite Johnson at the second corner spot.
It appears we have our answer with ‘game week’ underway ahead of Michigan’s season-opener against Fresno State this upcoming Saturday. At his weekly press conference on Monday, head coach Sherrone Moore said redshirt freshman Jyaire Hill, nicknamed “Sugar” for his affinity for candy, is expected to start for the Wolverines in the opener.
“Yeah, right now it would be Jyaire,” Moore said. “Jyaire’s really taking hold of that position and doing a really good job. Sug, he’s been phenomenal, tough, just a gritty dude. One of Kankakee’s finest. And he’s been great. So I think it would be him on Saturday that would line up across from Will Johnson.”
Hill appeared in four games for the Wolverines in 2023 to preserve a redshirt year, totaling eight tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss in limited action. A former four-star prospect and Top 175 recruit, the native of Kankakee, Ill. was one of Michigan’s most coveted prospects in the 2023 recruiting class. The Wolverines beat out the homestate Illinois Fighting Illini to earn Hill’s commitment in that cycle. If Hill starts and performs well for Michigan this season, that will prove to be one of the program’s biggest recruiting wins of the past several years.
This offseason, Michigan brought in two transfer cornerbacks out of the portal, 2023 FCS All-American Aamir Hall (Albany) and UNLV starter Ricky Johnson. It appears that duo will provide depth at the position behind Johnson and Hill, at least to begin the season.
Moore also gave insight on how the Wolverines’ outlook at the safety position. Michigan returns one half of its starting duo at the position in senior Makari Paige, but lost fellow senior Rod Moore to an ACL injury during spring practice. The Wolverines return rotational safety Quinton Johnson from last year’s squad, but also added Tennessee’s Wesley Walker and Michigan State’s Jaden Mangham at the position, each of whom were starters at their previous schools. Redshirt sophomore Zeke Berry is expected to start at nickelback.
“Right now, obviously, Makari’s been phenomenal,” Moore said. “Quinten Johnson’s been great. But you’ve got Zeke Berry in there. You’ve got Wes Walker in there. You’ve got Jaden Mangham. You’ve got Brandyn Hillman, who’s really, really taken his level of play to the next level because he’s got some elite traits and ability that people haven’t seen yet, and we’re super excited. It’s finally getting there for him. But him and a guy like Zeke Berry, who’s really all he needed was the confidence. And, you know, it would be funny because I’m talking to Rod, I’m talking to Will. I was like, who’s the guy in the background? And this was in the spring. Like, who are you guys most excited about? They said, Zeke. Zeke. And to watch his evolution as a player, he’s made some plays in camp, just wild plays. And they’re like, yeah, that’s routine of his skill set. So he’s really stepped up. So that room’s super deep and ready for it.”
– Enjoy more Michigan Wolverines coverage on Michigan Wolverines On SI –
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Ole Miss’ Lane Kiffin throws shade at Ohio State, Ryan Day after Buckeyes spend big on roster
For additional coverage of University of Michigan athletics:
Michigan
Independent presidential hopeful Cornel West gets on Michigan ballot; legal fight not over
![Independent presidential hopeful Cornel West gets on Michigan ballot; legal fight not over Independent presidential hopeful Cornel West gets on Michigan ballot; legal fight not over](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2023/10/05/PDTN/71070669007-ap-23278549466351.jpg?auto=webp&crop=1022,576,x0,y28&format=pjpg&width=1200)
Lansing — Independent presidential candidate Cornel West was certified Monday to appear on Michigan’s ballot even as litigation is working its way through court challenging his eligibility.
The Michigan Board of State Canvassers voted 3-1 to certify the liberal activist, author and academic for the Nov. 5 general election ballot despite allegations that circulator signatures had been forged in the sample examined by the Bureau of Elections.
Attorney Mark Brewer, who is representing a voter challenging the signatures, said he planned to appeal Monday’s decision. A separate appeal already is pending in the Court of Appeals challenging West’s eligibility based on alleged deficiencies in his affidavit of identity.
“The board of canvassers just put a forger on the ballot,” Brewer said after the three-hour meeting Monday.
At issue in Monday’s meeting were questions about the signatures of the individuals circulating the nominating petition that voters signed to get West on the ballot.
Brewer listed seven circulators whose signatures he said were forged, pointing to differences in handwriting among the different pages signed by the circulators.
Michigan’s elections bureau, which had determined there were enough signatures and had recommended certification, said the procedures they had in place did not require or set out a process for comparing circulator signatures. But even if it were the case that those circulator signatures were fraudulent and their sheets thrown out, West would still have enough signatures to qualify for the ballot, state Elections Director Jonathan Brater said.
Brewer had maintained that between the circulator challenges and challenges against individual voter signatures, there were enough for West to fall short of the threshold needed for certification.
The Michigan Bureau of Elections had disqualified West earlier this month because of problems with the way West’s affidavit of identity was notarized.
Court of Claims Judge James Robert Redford on Saturday overruled the bureau, arguing that West was not required to file an affidavit of identity in the first place because he submitted the requisite number of legitimate signatures.
The decision was appealed Sunday to the Michigan Court of Appeals.
eleblanc@detroitnews.com
Michigan
Michigan game vs. Fresno State: 3 keys to watch as Sherrone Moore era begins
![Michigan game vs. Fresno State: 3 keys to watch as Sherrone Moore era begins Michigan game vs. Fresno State: 3 keys to watch as Sherrone Moore era begins](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2022/09/24/PDTF/1acbce70-1e0b-45c5-b818-be55de43d055-09242022_umfbpregame-1.jpg?auto=webp&crop=2399,1350,x0,y122&format=pjpg&width=1200)
Michigan football schedule for 2024 season
A look at the defending Big Ten and national champion Michigan Wolverines schedule for the 2024 football season.
Free Press sports writer Tony Garcia looks ahead to Michigan football’s 2024 season opener against Fresno State on Saturday at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor.
Next up for the Wolverines: Fresno State Bulldogs
Matchup: No. 8 Michigan (15-0, national champions, in 2023) vs. Fresno State (9-4 in 2023).
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Saturday; Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor.
TV/radio: NBC, WXYT-FM (97.1)
Line: Wolverines by 21½.
Know the foe
For the second time in five years, Tim Skipper takes over for Jeff Tedford at the helm of the Bulldogs. Only this time, it’s permanent, with Tedford stepping aside for health resons. Fresno State last year was ranked during the season, and eyes another winning season in a deep Mountain West.
Quarterback Mikey Keene threw for nearly 3,000 yards with 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions a season ago, connecting with top targets Jalen Moss (55 catches for 706 yards and six touchdowns), Mac Dalena (47 catches for 509 yards and three touchdowns) and Josiah Freeman (19 catches for 249 yards and one touchdown). In case that wasn’t enough movement through the air, Fresno State added a pair of 1,000-yard receivers from the FCS level in Idaho’s Chedon James (102 catches for 1,045 yards and eight touchdowns) and Missouri State All-American Raylen Sharpe (73 catches for 991 yards and seven touchdowns).
The Bulldogs should be able to run, too, as they return lead RB Malik Sherrod (876 yards, nine TDs) and backup Elijah Gilliam (397 yards, five TDs).
The Bulldogs are weaker on defense, but leading edge Devo Bridges returns, complemented by former top-five recruit Korey Foreman (class of 2023), who transferred in this offseason from USC. Linebacker Malachi Langley recorded a career-high 80 tackles last year, and defensive backs Cam Lockridge and Al’zillion Hamilton will need to pick up the slack with Carlton Johnson now in the NFL (Seahawks).
GIFTS FROM THE FOOTBALL GODS: How Michigan become home to best DT duo in the sport
3 things to watch
Waiting on a quarterback: It will remain the No. 1 question surrounding the team until the Wolverines answer it, but the understanding is the job remains up for grabs between Alex Orji and Davis Warren. This is not 2023, when U-M had a weak nonconference schedule and a backloaded league slate. New coach Sherrone Moore’s team faces three 2023 bowl teams in the first four games, (including CFP semifinalist Texas). Time is of the essence.
Orji is 6 feet 3 and 235 pounds and ranked No. 13 The Athletic’s “freaks list,” but an area of concern is his ability to consistently operate the intermediate-to-deep pass game. Warren looked the best in public during April’s spring game, and has apparently been equally proficient during camp. He’s more mobile than he gets credit for, but his ceiling is lower than Orji’s, and he has previously only entered late in blowouts. If Warren wins the job, there will certainly be packages for Orji to get involved.
Sherrone’s style: There was no question about who Michigan’s next coach would be once Jim Harbaugh returned to the NFL. We saw how Moore operated in four instances where he filled in for a suspended Harbaugh — notably at Penn State in November, with 32 consecutive runs to close out a top-10 road win, and another epic victory at home against Ohio State — and saw a man ready for the job. Now’s the time when it’s all put to the test. What does a Moore team look like? How much autonomy does he give to coordinators Kirk Campbell (offense) and Wink Martindale (defense)? How aggressive is Moore on offense, and how will he get players to overcome the target as defending champions? This will be the first glimpse at what the attitude of a Moore-led team looks like.
ROAD TO GLORY: Making the case for and against Michigan returning to College Football Playoff
Retool vs. rebuild: In this new era of roster turnover, it’s Michigan’s turn to put its “next man up” mantra to the test. That leads to perhaps the overarching question: Is the next era of Wolverines ready? The entire title-winning offensive line has been replaced. Gio El-Hadi, Greg Crippen and Andrew Gentry have waited for years, and now we’ll see if they’re up to the task. At receiver, U-M replaces both starters. Tyler Morris has been said to be “the alpha” — he has one career touchdown — and Semaj Morgan was electric in spurts last year. The one lock on offense is tight end Colston Loveland.
The defense figures to be among the nation’s best, but replaces staff at every level and saw multiple starters move to the NFL. Can the players grasp Martindale’s twist on the Ravens-style scheme implemented under Mike Macdonald (2021) and Jesse Minter (2022-23)? Is Zeke Berry capable of replacing All-American Mike Sainristil at nickel back? The linebacking corps lost nine years of experience between Junior Colson and Michael Barrett and is now led by understudy Ernest Hausmann and Maryland transfer Jaishawn Barham. The best news: The unit’s three best players return: preseason All-Americans DTs Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant and CB Will Johnson.
[ MUST LISTEN: Make “Hail Yes!” your go-to Michigan Wolverines podcast, available anywhere you listen to podcasts (Apple, Spotify) ]
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