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The Great Lakes and Their Formation History Research Paper

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Introduction

Formation of the great lakes.

The largest world supply of freshwater comes from the Great Lakes. In the United States, this source provides more than 90% of the freshwater consumed in the region (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2015). It is also said to contain about 18% of the total freshwater found in the world. More than 40 million Americans, as well as Canadians, draw their freshwater from the Great Lakes. On average, the total area covered by this fascinating feature is more than 94, 000 square miles. This paper aims to discuss the formation of this magnificent geological feature.

According to Calkin and Bern (1985), the area that is currently occupied by the Great Lakes was initially covered with glacial ice. Besides, two plates were fused beneath this ice. Gradually, these plates split apart, and a midcontinent rift was created. In between the rift, there emerged a valley on which a basin formed with time. This basin later became Lake Superior. The Saint Lawrence rift was created when a second separation occurred.

Another valley with two basins emerged, and this is where the current Lakes Ontario and Erie lie. The glacial ice that covered the area that is currently occupied by the Great Lakes is said to be more than a kilometer thick (Michigan Environmental Education Curriculum, 2014). Massive amounts of soil were being moved during the creation of the valleys. However, it is believed that the melting of the glacier started in North America as it moved to Canada. Large holes were left behind by the melting ice. As a result, the water that filled these basins formed the Great Lakes.

Among the Lakes that form the interconnected Great Lakes are Lake Nipissing, Lake Algonquin, and Lake Chippewa. It is said that Lake Algonquin was formed 11,000 years ago (Hough, 1958). Initially, this lake covered an area of about 100,000 square miles. Its formation occurred when glacier ice known as Laurentide melted while moving north.

On the other hand, Lake Nippising was formed when glacier ice known as Wisconsin melted. Lake Chippewa was formed when unspecified ice retreated creating the Seaway at St. Lawrence. Other lakes that form part of the Great Lakes include Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, and Lake Huron. All the three lakes were at one time temporarily joined into Lake Nippising. Later on, Lake Michigan gradually drained River Illinois. This is where the present Chicago stands. On the other hand, Lake Huron drained the Ottawa River and St. Lawrence River as well. One can thus argue that the Great Lakes were formed as a result of glacial ice retreating and advancing over an extended time.

Currently, the Great Lakes contain 6 quadrillion gallons of freshwater (University of Wisconsin, 2014). Their uniqueness is derived from the fact that all the lakes are linked in terms of their basins. This results in a drainage basin that is continuous with a length of about 2, 212 miles. This path is significant in that it provides direct shipping access to ships going to the Atlantic Ocean through the Seaway at St. Lawrence. The deepest point at the Great Lakes is found at Lake Superior where a depth of 1, 333 feet is found (Karrow, 1984).

Formation of the Great Lakes brought with it several resources. For example, the region around Lake Superior has provided the sole source of ore to North America. This has in turn improved the economy of this region to greater heights. Large processors of iron and steel are located on the shores of Lakes Michigan, Ontario, Superior, and Erie because these lakes provide abundant and reliable sources of freshwater that are needed to process iron and steel (University of Wisconsin, 2014).

This area provides an avenue for sports as well as commercial fishing. As a result, more than a billion dollars are collected as revenues from such activities each year. Besides, a lot of people are directly and indirectly employed in the Great Lakes related projects. Each year, close to $62 billion of wages are generated by the Great Lakes. The formation of the Great Lakes has truly transformed areas close to the region by providing clean, freshwater to millions of people in addition to providing job opportunities to many.

The Great Lakes were formed as a result of massive glacier ice melting through retreating and advancing over an extended period. Two major drifts happened, thereby creating valleys that gave way to basins. These basins were later filled with the melted water to form the various lakes that are part of the Great Lakes. These lakes include Lakes Superior, Ontario, Erie, Michigan, Nippising, Algonquin, Chippewa, and Huron. The formation of these Lakes has transformed the economy of the surrounding region. Many jobs have been created where more than $62 billion is generated in the form of wages each year around Great Lakes. The St. Lawrence Seaway provides a channel through which ships can transport bulk goods from the region to the Atlantic Ocean.

Calkin, P. E., & Bern, H. F. (1985). Evolution of the Erie-basin great lakes. Evolution of the Great Lakes, 30, 149-170.

Hough, J. L. (1958). Geology of the Great Lakes . Champaign, IL: University of Illinois Press.

Karrow, P. F. (1984). Quaternary stratigraphy and history: Great Lakes – St. Lawrence region. Quaternary Stratigraphy of Canada, 24, 84-100.

Michigan Environmental Education Curriculum. (2014). Great Lakes formation . Web.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2015). About our Great Lakes: Introduction . Web.

University of Wisconsin. (2014). The Great Lakes: How they were made . Web.

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IvyPanda. (2020, August 11). The Great Lakes and Their Formation History. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-great-lakes-and-their-formation-history/

"The Great Lakes and Their Formation History." IvyPanda , 11 Aug. 2020, ivypanda.com/essays/the-great-lakes-and-their-formation-history/.

IvyPanda . (2020) 'The Great Lakes and Their Formation History'. 11 August.

IvyPanda . 2020. "The Great Lakes and Their Formation History." August 11, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-great-lakes-and-their-formation-history/.

1. IvyPanda . "The Great Lakes and Their Formation History." August 11, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-great-lakes-and-their-formation-history/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "The Great Lakes and Their Formation History." August 11, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-great-lakes-and-their-formation-history/.

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Elizabeth Flock Elizabeth Flock

• Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/arts/discussion-questions-for-the-death-and-life-of-the-great-lakes

Discussion questions for ‘The Death and Life of the Great Lakes’

Our April pick for the PBS NewsHour-New York Times book club, “Now Read This” is Dan Egan’s “ The Death and Life of the Great Lakes. ” It’s an epic and wonderfully told story of history, science and reportage about the largest source of freshwater in the world, and the threat to America’s waterways. Become a member of the book club by joining our Facebook group , or by signing up to our newsletter . Learn more about the book club here .

Below are questions to help guide your discussions as you read the book over the next month. You can also submit your own questions for Dan Egan on our Facebook page, which he will answer on the NewsHour broadcast at the end of the month.

1. The five great lakes — Lake Erie, Superior, Michigan, Huron and Ontario — make up the world’s largest freshwater system. Some 40 million people live near their shores, and many of more of us depend on them for fresh drinking water, work or recreation. What’s been your own experience of the Great Lakes?

2. In the book’s opening, Egan writes that more than any ordinary lake, each of the Great Lakes “can hold all the mysteries of an ocean, and then some.” He mentions that there are 6,000 shipwrecks, many of which have never been found, at the bottom of the Great Lakes. What other mysteries are you learning about as you read?

3. Egan also writes that the biggest threat to the Great Lakes at present “is our own ignorance,” and that it’s a “mirage” that humans and lakes have learned to get along. What surprises you about how humans have messed with the lakes, even after the passage of the major Clean Water Act of 1972?

4. Why is it not actually a good thing that the Great Lakes are as clear as they are?

5. A recurring theme in the book is the invasive species that have been brought to the lakes from ships arriving from ports all over the world. Today, the Great Lakes are home to 186 nonnative species — the worst being the zebra and quagga mussels . How and why are these species a problem?

6. Egan tells us that one of the most recognizable images of the perils facing the Great Lakes is “ the grotesque mug of an Asian carp ,” which was imported in the 1960s for government research on sewage treatment. This invasive species can grow up to 70 pounds and eat up to 20 percent of its weight in plankton a day, and is now making its way closer to Lake Michigan. What could happen if the Asian Carp do enter the Great Lakes?

7. Does this book introduce us to heroes and villains in the Great Lakes story? If so, who are they?

8. As the news is filled with stories of water shortages in California and water crises like the one still facing Flint, Michigan , how do the Great Lakes fit in?

9. Egan argues that if threats to the Great Lakes aren’t addressed, there will be huge implications for property owners, shipping, drinking water and sewage treatment. How could it affect you, if at all?

10. What does the book suggest can be done to protect the future of the Great Lakes? What do you think Egan is trying to tell us in the book’s final scene with his son?

Elizabeth Flock is an independent journalist who reports on justice and gender. She can be reached at [email protected]

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Home — Essay Samples — Environment — Lake — The Great Lakes system

The Great Lakes System

• Categories: Lake Natural Environment Niagara Falls

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Published: Oct 31, 2018

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The Death and Life of the Great Lakes

60 pages • 2 hours read

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Introduction-Part 1, Chapters 1-4

Part 2, Chapters 5-7

Part 3, Chapters 8-10

Key Figures

Index of Terms

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Discussion Questions

Throughout the book, Egan interweaves stories of personal connections to the Great Lakes and/or fishing—including his own memories. What purpose do these personal anecdotes serve in the book? Use three to four examples to support your argument.

The title of the book The Death and Life of the Great Lakes includes the words “death” and “life.” Why was it important for Egan to include both of these words when titling his book? Use specific examples to support your argument.

Egan frequently includes descriptions of the characters he interviews, such as physical appearance, dress and unusual behavior or mannerisms. What purpose do these extra details serve in the book? Use examples to support your argument. 

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