Lake Michigan and Lake Huron were formed during the Ice Age as
glaciers moved from the north across the Great Lakes region.
Early explorers incorrectly believed that there were two
separate lakes due to their great size and thus gave them two
separate names. Lake Michigan and Lake Huron are geologically and
hydrologically the same although they are separated geographically
- separated by the Straits of Mackinac. Historical names are not,
however, easily changed. They both lie at the same surface
elevation - 577 feet. Gage levels have shown both lakes to have the
same water levels and mean long term behavior which means they are
one in the same. Water flows in either direction in the channel
separating them. If a water imbalance ever occurs in one of the
lakes - the water can move through the straits to correct the
imbalance. The size of the straits goes from 3.6 miles to 5 miles
wide where the Mackinac Bridge spans the Straits. The average depth
of the straits is 120 feet deep. Lake Michigan is the only Great
Lake contained solely within The United States. Lake Huron is
bordered both Canada and The United States.
The surface area of the two lakes equal roughly 45,445 square
miles which makes Lakes Michigan and Huron the largest lake in the
world when viewed by surface area alone. The total length is equal
to 440 miles and/or 710 km. The maximum depth of the lakes is 930
feet. When comparing the surface area of Lakes Michigan and Huron
against Lake Superior they are actually larger than Lake Superior's
31,820 square miles. However, Lake Superior has much more water
volume 2900 cu miles compared to Lakes Michigan and Huron's 2029 cu
miles due to it's greater depth.
To log this cache:
1) Visit the location and have your photo taken with the
straits behind you. Your face must be clearly visible.
2) Look around you and describe the rocks you see (size, shape,
etc) and does anything grab your attention out in the water.
3) Mark the location using your GPS and note the elevation.
4) Each finder must email me the answers for requirements #2 and
#3.
Each Cacher that logs a find is required to submit answers to
the questions above (failure to comply will result in a deletion of
your log). The only exception to this are young kids that are
caching with their parents (who have their own account, but not
computer privileges). Per Earthcache guidelines, each cacher is to
learn from their visit/experience. That means each cacher must
perform the necessary task(s) or requirements to log the cache and
earn your smiley.
Any logs that do not meet the above posted requirements will be
deleted at the discretion of the cache owner. All logging
requirements must be completed within 48 hours of logging the cache
online or your log will be deleted unless you have prior permission
from the cache owner.