Michigan

Scientists just discovered cold, dark sinkholes in Lake Michigan. What’s living in them?

Published

1 year ago

August 27, 2024

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Scientists just discovered cold, dark sinkholes in Lake Michigan. What’s living in them?

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

How MSU’s deer vaccine capsules could curb black-legged ticks in Michigan

Published

2 days ago

September 23, 2025

Press Room

How MSU’s deer vaccine capsules could curb black-legged ticks in Michigan

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Black-legged ticks have been increasing across Michigan this summer, raising concerns about tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease.

—> Michigan health officials alarmed by surge in Lyme disease cases

Researchers at Michigan State University say the large white-tailed deer population plays a key role in spreading these ticks.

To address the problem, MSU scientists are testing food capsules containing biomarkers to see if deer will eat them.

Each capsule currently includes corn, alfalfa, molasses, and a biomarker that helps track how many deer consume the capsules.

If successful, the capsules will eventually contain a vaccine to help deer build immunity to ticks, similar to how dogs are vaccinated.

The goal is to reduce the number of ticks on deer, which could lower the risk of tick-borne diseases for people spending time outdoors.

MSU professors describe this as an innovative method that could be a game-changer for controlling black-legged ticks and Lyme disease in Michigan. The capsules are being introduced in selected parks and land preserves in the Mid-Michigan area as part of the early phase of this research.

In the future, the team plans to add a drug or vaccine to the capsules to eliminate ticks on deer, aiming to stop the problem at its source.

—> 4 ways to protect yourself from ticks in Michigan, and 4 things to do after you’re outside

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Michigan

Trump administration renews push to fire Fed governor from Michigan ahead of key vote

Published

2 weeks ago

September 14, 2025

Press Room

Trump administration renews push to fire Fed governor from Michigan ahead of key vote

Alan Suderman
| Associated Press

President Donald Trump’s administration renewed its request Sunday for a federal appeals court to let him fire Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve’s board of governors, a move the president is seeking ahead of the central bank’s vote on interest rates.

The Trump administration filed a response just ahead of a 3 p.m. Eastern deadline Sunday to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, arguing that Cook’s legal arguments for why she should stay on the job were meritless. Lawyers for Cook argued in a Saturday filing that the Trump administration has not shown sufficient cause to fire her, and stressed the risks to the economy and country if the president were allowed to fire a Fed governor without proper cause.

Sunday’s filing is the latest step in an unprecedented effort by the White House to shape the historically independent Fed. Cook’s firing marks the first time in the central bank’s 112-year history that a president has tried to fire a governor.

“The public and the executive share an interest in ensuring the integrity of the Federal Reserve,” Trump’s lawyers argued in Sunday’s filing. “And that requires respecting the president’s statutory authority to remove governors ‘for cause’ when such cause arises.”

Bill Pulte, a Trump appointee to the agency that regulates mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, has accused Cook of signing separate documents in which she allegedly said that both the Atlanta property and a home in Ann Arbor, Michigan, also purchased in June 2021, were both “primary residences.” Pulte submitted a criminal referral to the Justice Department, which has opened an investigation.

Trump relied on those allegations to fire Cook “for cause.”

Cook, the first Black woman to serve as a Fed governor, referred to the condominium as a “vacation home” in a loan estimate, a characterization that could undermine claims by the Trump administration that she committed mortgage fraud. Documents obtained by The Associated Press also showed that on a second form submitted by Cook to gain a security clearance, she described the property as a “second home.”

Cook sued the Trump administration to block her firing and a federal judge ruled Tuesday that the removal was illegal and reinstated her to the Fed’s board.

The administration appealed and asked for an emergency ruling just before the Fed is set to meet this week and decide whether to reduce its key interest rate. Most economists expect they will cut the rate by a quarter point.

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Michigan

Michigan football vs. Central Michigan: Live updates, score, injuries

Published

2 weeks ago

September 13, 2025

Press Room

Michigan football vs. Central Michigan: Live updates, score, injuries

It’s an in-state matchup on Saturday, Sept. 13, as Michigan football (1-1) takes on the Central Michigan Chippewas (1-1) for the Wolverines’ second home game of the season.

After a loss on the road at Oklahoma last week in which Michigan struggled to generate offense, the Wolverines — and particularly freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood — are looking to sharpen their offensive skills against a weaker Chippewas.

They’ll have to do so without coach Sherrone Moore, however. The coach is serving the first of a two-game suspension sanctioned by the school for his role in the Connor Stalions sign-stealing scandal. In the interim, Biff Poggi will lead the Wolverines.

Michigan’s task will be to hone its skills on both sides of the ball, but with an emphasis on offense. The Wolverines struggled to run the ball last week and Underwood had difficulty connecting with receivers downfield as well. Central Michigan provides a perfect opportunity for Michigan to build its offensive cohesiveness before beginning Big Ten play.

Follow along below for live updates.

Michigan football vs. Central Michigan early availability report

Michigan – Out: QB Davis Warren (knee), OT Andrew Babalola (knee). Probable: DB Rod Moore (knee), DB Shamari Earls (undisclosed), DB Caleb Anderson (undisclosed). Questionable: TE Marlin Klein (right foot/ankle), DB Zeke Berry (lower body), RB John Volker (undisclosed), LB Jaydon Hood (undisclosed), RB Bryson Kuzdzal (undisclosed), RB Donovan Johnson (undisclosed), edge Devon Baxter, DT Ike Iwunnah (undisclosed), WR C.J. Charleston (undisclosed). Doubtful: OL Gio-EL Hadi (left ankle/foot)

Central Michigan – Missed Week 2: TE Rory Callahan, OL John Iannuzzi.

Matchup: No. 22 Michigan (1-1) vs. Central Michigan (1-1)

Kickoff: Noon Saturday, Sept. 13; Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor.

TV/radio: Big Ten Network; WCSX-FM (94.7).Looking for a free mini puzzle? Play the USA TODAY Quick Cross now.

Line: Wolverines by 27½.

Michigan football schedule 2025

Week 1: W, 34-17 vs New Mexico.

Week 2: L, 13-24 at Oklahoma

Week 3: vs Central Michigan, Saturday Sept. 13, noon ET (Big Ten Network).

Week 4: at Nebraska, Saturday Sept. 20, 3:30 p.m. ET (CBS).

Week 5: BYE.

Week 6: vs Wisconsin, Saturday Oct. 4, 12 p.m. or 3:30 p.m.

Week 7: at USC, Saturday Oct. 11, time TBD.

Week 8: vs Washington, Saturday Oct. 18, time TBD.

Week 9: at Michigan State, Saturday Oct. 25, time TBD.

Week 10: vs Purdue, Sautrday Nov. 1, time TBD.

Week 11: BYE.

Week 12: at Northwestern, Saturday Nov. 15, time TBD.

Week 13: at Maryland, Saturday Nov. 22, time TBD.

Week 14: vs Ohio State, Saturday Nov. 29, noon ET (Fox).

Contact Matthew Auchincloss at mauchincloss@freepress.com.

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