We take pride in our Great Lakes, but do you know how they originally formed? Hint: It's ice cold.
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Morning Musings 🤔
It's easy for forget we're surrounded by fresh water.
Take a quick glance on a map and it's clear Michigan is positioned to be a leader in fresh water now, and into the future. But as we live and breathe (and drink) right now, our state is plagued by water issues.
From the Flint Water Crisis, which is still being remedied more than five years later, to PFAS contamination, we need to do a better job managing our water. If we can't do it, who can?
In 2017, Popular Science said Michigan would eventually be the best place to live by 2100, due to climate change. I'm not sure if that's the championship we should be waiting for, given the circumstances. I'll take a Lions Super Bowl, though!
- Ken
Morning Dive 🏊
Speaking of water, what's the deal with those giant puddles that surround the Mitten? You may know them as the Great Lakes.
While we take the fresh water part of the lakes for granted, we also take their origins for granted.
How the Great Lakes were formed
Simply put, the Great Lakes were created by glaciers. About 18,000 years ago, the Laurentide glacier covered most of Canada and the Northern U.S. As the glacier moved, it flattened mountains and carved valleys. It's estimated that the glacier was nearly 2.5 miles thick.
About 14,000 years ago, things began to warm and the Laurentide glacier started to melt. As it melted, water filled the huge holes carved by the glacier. This process took about 7,000 years! (And you complain about the commute on I-696!)
Take a look at this map breakdown showing the ice retreat and formation of the Great Lakes over thousands of years. This is from the US Army Corps of Engineers Detroit District:
Chatter 🗣️
- UAW workers are into their second week of striking at GM plants. We thought maybe this thing would only last a day or two, but now we're into Day 10, with no clear end in sight.
- So, how about that Brexit? Yes, no one understands what's happening in the U.K. right now, but Parliament is back in session today after a huge ruling by the Supreme Court. There will be lots of yelling.
Housekeeping 🧹
Hey, if you like this newsletter, let us know. We'd love your feedback. We also offer several other newsletters that probably cater to at least one of your interests -- unless you're only interested in bow ties. We don't have one for bow ties. Sorry.
- Ken Haddad (Have something to say or a topic idea? Contact me: Email | Twitter)
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