Researchers Discover Massive Sinkholes in Lake Michigan

Recent explorations of Lake Michigan have uncovered approximately 40 massive circular structures, believed to be sinkholes formed due to geological processes beneath the limestone bedrock. Discovered in 2022 by a shipwreck hunter and confirmed by NOAA researchers, these sinkholes range from 300 to 600 feet in diameter and are located about 14 miles southeast of Sheboygan, Wisconsin. The conditions within these sinkholes, characterized by low oxygen and high sulfur levels, mimic those of early Earth, providing a unique opportunity for scientific research. The formations are thought to have developed as groundwater dissolved the limestone, leading to caverns that eventually collapsed. While some researchers classify them as sinkholes, others, including hunter Brendon Baillod, suggest they may be craters caused by gas or water upwellings. This discovery has sparked significant interest in understanding the origins and implications of these underwater features.