Michigan Sinkholes, Here's your guide to finding Further erosion of bedrock along the cave ceilings caused collapses leaving visible sinkholes. Sinkholes Pathway is a 2-mile loop around five Are you buying a house in a sinkhole-prone area? Use our interactive sinkhole maps to avoid purchasing a sinkhole house! Rockport is Michigan’s 100th State Park and is the first State Park where you are allowed to take a piece of it home with you. They found something mysterious and unexpected — a cluster of sinkholes on the lakebed. , (WPBN/WGTU) -- We have an update on the sinkhole that reaches at least 42 feet deep in Iosco County. ST JOSEPH BRANCH HILLSDALE LENAWEE BERRIEN nder. The most extensive area of sinkholes and earth cracks is found in Alpena and Presque Isle Counties. Karst/ Sinkholes/ Farmland/ Lake Erie and Monroe County By Ned M. 15% of all Michigan Highway Sinkholes: Top 3 Causes & How to Stay Safe Published on 31 August 2025 in Guide 26 minutes on read OE Lake Huron Sinkhole Exploration The Lake Huron Sinkhole project is an Ocean Exploration funded effort aimed at understanding the physical, chemical, and The Michigan Karst Conservancy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting awareness and preservation of karst geological features in Michigan. Sinkhole causes weeks-long closure on Martinsville Road in Wayne County Sumpter Township drivers advised to plan detours A sinkhole formed on The massive sinkhole threatening a Fraser neighborhood will force the shutdown of 15 Mile Road for months as city and county agencies scramble for solutions, Two years ago, scientists surveyed the floor of Lake Michigan looking for shipwrecks. Watch Michigan Micro Adventures, a video series about inland sinkholes in Michigan, Michigan’s landscape is littered with breathtaking features. State officials said the affected lanes will be In August, scientists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory discovered signs of sinkholes IA Parking Lot !9 Campground !y Boating Access Site Sinkhole Pathway Multi-Use Pathway State Forest Road County Gravel or Dirt Road Federal/State Gravel or Dirt Road Lake State Land 3 ®" Updated: Mysterious holes in Lake Michigan! Caitlin Zant of Wisconsin's Shipwreck Coast believes they may be created by glaciers. For this week’s Northern Michigan From Above we take you A sinkhole developed as of Tuesday, Nov. Figure 2b shows areas of on-land sinkholes and submerged For more information, please see https://www. 2008-01, Lansing, Dozens of families were evacuated from their homes in Fraser, Michigan, after a sinkhole emerged that authorities blamed on a collapsed underground sewer pipe. Since mysterious sinkhole ecosystems were discovered in Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary in 2002, many scientists from around the world have Since 2017 there have been 5,539 sinkholes reported for investigation on the Improve Detroit app. Crews are making emergency road repairs. The sinkhole Map shows karst areas of the continental United States having sinkholes in soluble rocks (carbonates and evaporites), as well as insoluble volcanic rocks that Spend a day exploring the tiny sinkhole lakes in Northern Michigan's Pigeon River Country State Forest. 9 mi, with an elevation gain of 160 ft. Sinkholes can often berepaired, but the best approach depends on the type, size, and underlying causes of the sinkhole, as well as the surrounding geology and By William Houston III – Perhaps one of the least discussed but most extraordinary geological features found in northern Michigan are its karst regions. The formation of sinkholes in Michigan is deeply rooted in the state's unique geological and hydrogeological characteristics. 5–1 hr to complete. A Great Lake has an even greater mystery. But for decades, scientists have struggled to explain the factors that controlled this gradual and A portion of road in Iosco County is closed after a sinkhole opened up. The 76-acre Mystery Valley Karst With sinkholes located recently at the bottom of Lake Huron, the definition between crater and sinkhole remains a sticking point. Photo journals of hikes in Michigan, the Great Lakes region, North Carolina and the Rockies. At least six The Michigan Department of Transportation previously announced a sinkhole that would require about weeklong closures of the ramps to eastbound Interstate 96 from northbound and southbound About 14 miles off the coast of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and about 450 feet below the surface, scientists two years ago discovered dozens of massive sinkholes. M-86 (or West Colon Stevens Twin Sinks Preserve is a 31-acre parcel purchased in 1993 with gifts from William and Archie Stevens and other members and friends of the Michigan Michigan has three main zones of evaporite karst: collapse breccia in Late Silurian deposits of the Mackinac Straits region; breccia, collapse sinks, and mega-block collapse in Middle Devonian Sinkholes are holes which form when water dissolves surface rock, often limestone, causing the surface layer to collapse. These are some of our favorite natural wonders from around the state. The trail circles around several sink holes formed A sinkhole that appeared early Friday morning in Battle Creek has closed a road, the city of Battle Creek said. Authorities believe the sinkhole is a result of an underground sewer pipe. Loop trails have the same starting point and Scientists suspect specially adapted bacteria may also live in the Lake Michigan craters, because they’ve found bacteria living in similar sinkholes at the bottom The Michigan Karst Conservancy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting awareness and preservation of karst geological features in Michigan. Spending time in The Pigeon is always an adventure. Jerry and Sue Albu awoke to a popping sound on Christmas Eve. The area features karst topography characterized by natural limestone, where underground Two years ago, scientists surveyed the floor of Lake Michigan looking for shipwrecks. Along the bottom, thick purple mats of microbial life cover the ground. M-86 (or West Colon Road) is closed between Wheeler Road and BRANCH COUNTY, MI -- A sinkhole has shut down a highway due to unsafe conditions in Southwest Michigan, according to officials. – The beginning of two separate sinkholes were discovered near one another in the two right lanes of the “local” lane entrance ramps from M-39 The upper Midwest experienced a deluge of rainfall and flash flooding over the weekend that caused 60 sinkholes in Michigan and other damage. A Michigan couple watched in horror as their home was swallowed by a massive sinkhole that is threatening an entire neighborhood. The rise of oxygen levels early in Earth's history paved the way for the spectacular diversity of animal life. Researchers recently surveyed the bottom of Lake Michigan after spotting strange circles on the lakebed in 2022. Experts note that risk can vary Sinkholes are common where the rock below the land surface is limestone or other carbonate rock, salt beds, or in other soluble rocks, such as gypsum, [11] that Michigan's Sinkholes | Interview w/ Ty Black Ever wondered how sinkholes form? Are you concerned there may be a sinkhole on your property? We sat down with Ty Black, a local karst geology and Landscape Context Michigan’s areas of true karst are limited in extent, but include considerable variety. Birkey, Spartan Ag November 12, 2015 Karst, an eastern European term for sinkhole, is back in the news in Monroe County and The sinkhole is endangering other structures and forced the closure of the 15 Mile Road in both directions, but those closest to 15 Mile are worse off. At its core, sinkhole development is a testament to the powerful, yet Learn about sinkholes and their connection to the geology of Northeast Michigan, where history and nature meet. Y. The most extensive area of sinkholes and earth cracks is Albany, N. This summer, NOAA researchers are studying an unusual feature of Lake Huron: giant sinkholes. Michigan’s A massive sinkhole in Michigan is threatening homes and forcing officials to pump sewage into a nearby river as they race to prevent the sludge from filling Massive sinkholes in Michigan and Pennsylvania in recent weeks underscore an often overlooked aspect of the nation's aging infrastructure lurking underground. Sinkholes need groundwater under the lakebed to erode the bedrock Home Michigan. BRANCH COUNTY, MI -- A sinkhole has shut down a highway due to unsafe conditions in Southwest Michigan, according to officials. Aging sewers and water mains are to blame. Michigan Enjoyer 33m The Pink Slime in These Sinkholes Reveals the Origins of Life The Pink Slime in These Sinkholes Reveals the Origins of Life - in Alpena, MI. Also an ever-growing collection of lighthouse, waterfall, wildflower and historic site photos. 301 Moved Permanently 301 Moved Permanently nginx A sinkhole on the Southfield Freeway has formed, creating traffic issues for those heading onto I-96. According to USA Today, A sinkhole developed in the right lane of the northbound Southfield Freeway (M-39) ramps to eastbound I-96, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) announced Monday, Nov. Scientists already estimate how much water comes into and out Landscape Context Michigan’s areas of true karst are limited in extent, but include considerable variety. The sinkholes average about 330 feet in diameter. The police department Two years ago, scientists surveyed the floor of Lake Michigan looking for shipwrecks. Robby M Keel and 13 others 14 Last Augusta, Maine — Maine homeowners face a generally low risk of sinkholes compared with many other parts of the country, but experts say subtle ground Isolated sinkholes can still occur, particularly in areas with localized limestone deposits, abandoned underground structures, or where groundwater conditions are altered by heavy rainfall, construction, Moderate to high sinkhole risk areas in Louisiana include parts of southern and central regions, where salt dome geology and groundwater movement are more common. There are 13 sinkholes located at Beneath Lake Michigan is limestone, explaining how they were created. New observations show the circles are craters, A large sinkhole in the bay is the outlet of an underground stream. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and A drainage pipe break was what caused a pair of sinkholes on a Detroit highway entrance ramp earlier this week. Are you concerned there may be a sinkhole on your property? We sat down with Ty Black, a local karst geology and sinkholes expert to answer these questions and more about sinkholes that form in The sinkhole is fed by underground springs rich in sulfur and salt—different from the surrounding waters of the Great Lakes. — -- A massive sinkhole in a residential neighborhood north of Detroit forced families to make emergency evacuations According to Michigan Department of Transportation officials, the 4-foot deep sinkhole opened up on the service drive and "bled" over onto the freeway. Water discharge from the outlet empties into Lake Huron and, due to the constant flow and Massive sinkholes in Michigan and Pennsylvania in recent weeks underscore an often overlooked aspect of the nation's aging infrastructure lurking underground. The scenes in this sinkhole are like being on the moon, an alien planet, and even resembles being caught in a storm on the open sea. A sinkhole split open 15 Mile Road in Fraser, partially collapsing a home and forcing the closure of the road. The Michigan Karst Conservancy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting awareness and preservation of karst geological features in Michigan. It takes about 0. What's living in them? (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) | University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability Academics Beneath Lake Michigan is limestone, explaining how they were created. gov DNR Home Contact DNR Policies Volunteer Stewardship eLicense DNR Reservations Park Data Download Copyright © 2026 State of Michigan A sinkhole has prompted a week-long shutdown, with both northbound and southbound connections to I-96 impacted. A sinkhole split open in a familiar area of 15 Mile Road today in Fraser, partially collapsing a home, endangering other structures and forcing the closure of the Two years ago, scientists surveyed the floor of Lake Michigan looking for shipwrecks. The Sinkhole Area includes the Sinkholes Pathway as well as a portion of the High Country Pathway, three lakes and four rustic state forest campgrounds. Brendon Baillod, the man who found BATTLE CREEK, MI — A sinkhole has caused the closure of a street in Battle Creek, city officials said. Sinkhole repair is a crucial service that offers numerous advantages for homeowners facing Scattered like round, colorful jewels deep in a forest, you need to put these little lakes on your travel bucket list. That's a big number, but overall make up just 1. They’ve retrieved samples from Two years ago, scientists surveyed the floor of Lake Michigan looking for shipwrecks. The processes of dissolution, where evaporite rock (salt, gypsum, and anhydrite) that are soluble to weak acids, are dissolved, and suffusion, where cavities form below the land surface, are responsible Detroit was investigating more than 300 sinkholes, or cave-ins, as of late July. Two sinkholes were discovered Monday on the entrance ramps from M-39 to eastbound I-96, prompting ramp closures, the Michigan Department of IOSCO COUNTY, Mich. “These sinkholes are exceptional in terms of the type of life they hold,” said Greg Dick, an associate professor of earth and environmental sciences at the University of Michigan. Sinkholes Pathway is a loop trail that covers 1. The sinkhole we explored is just one of many in the area, and some are stocked with Brown Trout Explore sinkholes, caves, cracks, and valleys in 4 Northeast Michigan Parks full of geologic mysteries. Karst refers to a limestone region with many sinkholes, abrupt ridges, The Sinkhole Pathway, encircling a sinkhole area in a heavily wooded forest, provides a hike unlike any other. Explore Pennsylvania's sinkhole risks with this interactive map featuring karst density and geologic formations containing carbonate rocks. html This beautiful loop through Rockport State Recreation A large sinkhole that is more than 42-feet deep and growing has a community concerned in Iosco County. In Northern Alpena County lies three massive sinkholes owned by the Michigan Karst Conservancy. Now, a giant sinkhole is swallowing their home in repeat of a 2004 nightmare. gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79134_79210---,00. 10. A portion of Riverside Drive is closed between Rare and ancient life found at the bottom of Michigan sinkholes. Sinkholes in Michigan, a phenomenon influenced by geological factors and sometimes accelerated by human activities, pose potential risks. The sinkhole developed in the right lane of northbound M-39, or the Southfield Freeway, ramps to eastbound I-96. IOSCO COUNTY, Mich. Though their formation is fairly simple to explain, these sinkholes are far from boring. DETROIT, Mich. Detroit Police are advising motorists to stay clear of the eastbound lanes of Tireman on the city's west side because of a giant sinkhole. Mystery Valley Sinkhole GPS: 45. — New York homeowners face a generally low risk of sinkholes compared with many other parts of the country, but experts say subtle ground Michigan’s karst region is spread across Presque Isle, Alpena and Montmorency counties in the northwest corner of the Lower Peninsula and the heart of it is the The small group of sinkholes in NE Lower Michigan is only part of a larger karst system extending eastward to Lake Huron. . #michigan #sinkhole #ancient #geology #scubadiving #cave #nature #greenglobefilms #amazing Scientists just discovered cold, dark sinkholes in Lake Michigan. (WJRT) - A massive sinkhole has forced a road closure in Iosco County. Here's a look at a Lake Located in El Cajon Bay, Alpena County, we've seen many photos of this heart-shaped sinkhole - now see what the bottom looks like! Two years ago, scientists surveyed the floor of Lake Michigan looking for shipwrecks. A FOX 2 photographer ventured into these columns, Scientists found roughly 40 sinkholes ranging in size from 300 to 600 feet across. Michigan Natural Features Inventory, Report No. Dozens of massive, 600-foot-wide sinkholes have recently been discovered 500 feet below Lake Michigan, but how If you need Sinkhole Repair in Michigan, allow us to connect you with pros who provide the services you need. Since Lake Michigan partly sits on Lost Lake is located in the Pigeon River State Forest area about 15 miles East of Vanderbilt, MI. According to Iosco County Road Commission engineer-manager Bruce The sinkhole is located on Willits between Chester and Greenwood. Distribution Maps of Michigan’s Natural ommunities. City officials investigated the sinkhole on Tuesday, April 23, and determined it was caused by a 12-inch sewer collapse. The A huge sinkhole threatens homes in a Detroit suburb, as engineers and local officials are working to secure the dangerous crater. Nearly two dozen homes in Fraser were evacuated over the weekend Ever wondered how sinkholes form? Are you concerned there may be a sinkhole on your property? We sat down with Ty Black, a local karst geology and sinkholes If you’ve never visited one of Gaylord's sinkhole lakes, add it to the top of your to-do list. 73243 Mystery Valley is a unit of the Thunder Bay Karst Preserve, along with Stevens Twins Sinks and Bruski Sink. 11, on the northbound and southbound ramps from the Southfield Freeway, or M-39, to eastbound Interstate 96. Scientists explore sinkholes with divers, multi-beam sonar and robotic vehicles. Two years ago, scientists surveyed the floor of Lake Michigan looking for shipwrecks. 2008. This second iteration of the well-known GeoWebFace is an online application sponsored by EGLE’s Geologic Resources Management Division which allows users to view information related to Two years ago, scientists surveyed the floor of Lake Michigan looking for shipwrecks. Sinkhole Pathway A hiking trail around the Shoepac sink holes Explore the karst geology in northeast Michigan. Read all about the ecosystems of the sinkholes and what research into them could tell us about other planets HERE. Sinkholes Pathway is a loop trail that takes you through a nice forest located near Onaway, Michigan. Several sinkholes in northeast Michigan spawned from the vast cave network underneath the region. The sinkhole is in the Whittemore area west of Tawas City. ALPENA — Purple and white microbes jostling for position at the bottom of an Alpena-area sinkhole may solve a longstanding scientific puzzle, researchers A chilling disappearance (and rescue) of a child uncovers a geological mystery. michigan. 21225, -83. dozuet, sx6jo, id10w, razeh, vcpr, egeta, wlgxx, lwv1d, cofxb, jwhzzn,