What is a Lake Michigan Tsunami?
A Lake Michigan tsunami is a sort of seismic event that produces waves of water with a height of over 3 feet (1 meter). It is the result of an offshore earthquake or a strong weather event, such as a storm or wind shifts. Tsunamis can occur anywhere in Lake Michigan and can affect beach areas, islands, and low-lying structures along the shore.
Are They Common?
Tsunamis are minimally recorded in Lake Michigan as they tend to be relatively small and if they don’t endanger structures or generate a great deal of media attention, their occurrence will be relatively unknown. According to the United States Geological Survey, a tsunami can strike any coastline of the Great Lakes in a matter of minutes and the greatest threat is from offshore earthquakes due to their powerful and often destructive force. Despite this, the total number of Lake Michigan tsunamis recorded or officially reported is limited.
The 1880 Tsunami
The Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey reported the only confirmed tsunami to have occurred in Lake Michigan on October 5, 1880. The waves ripped apart harbors and other property lining the lake’s shore and it is estimated to have caused up to $1 million in damages. The last waves were recorded 19 hours after the initial tsunami and it was created by a magnitude 7.5 earthquake that was located offshore in Lake Michigan itself.
The 1936 Tsunami
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources reported the second and most recent tsunami to have occurred in Lake Michigan in 1936. Strong winds that were generated by a severe storm blew waves back and forth over the lake and resulted in a tsunami. This tsunami was estimated to have been 5 feet high and damaged property along the shoreline including a few boats and pier components.
The Effect of Tsunamis on the Lake Ecosystem
Although tsunamis are a rare occurrence in Lake Michigan, the effects that they could have on the lake’s ecosystem could be significant. Any type of wave activity due to a tsunami could disturb the delicate ecosystems of the lake’s floor, which is home to numerous species of fish and other organisms. Alike to the effects of a large storm or hurricane, a tsunami would likely cause a significant amount of debris to enter the lake. This debris could take weeks to clear, if not longer and the ecosystem could take years to recover.
What can be Done to Prevent Tsunamis in the Future?
There are steps that can be taken to help prevent the effects of future tsunamis in Lake Michigan. Firstly, monitoring systems should be in place to alert local authorities if any waves reach high enough to be considered a tsunami. Furthermore, building and repair infrastructure projects should take preventative measures to protect the coastline and beach areas of Lake Michigan from tsunamis. Additionally, public awareness campaigns should be conducted to educate residents on the dangers of tsunamis and what to do in the event that one occurs.
Preparedness Plans
It is essential for communities near Lake Michigan to have preparedness plans in place for the event of a tsunami. Generally, these plans will provide details on how to respond in the event of a tsunami, where to evacuate to, and what to do until the danger has passed. It is important that these preparedness plans are up-to-date and regularly reviewed and updated by local authorities to ensure their effectiveness.
Public Policies to Reduce Tsunamis in Lake Michigan
In order to reduce the risk of tsunamis in Lake Michigan, public policies must be developed and implemented. These policies should include long-term strategies for encouraging sustainable development along the Lake Michigan coastline. It is also important for local communities to ensure that any construction plans will support long-term tsunami preventative measures. Additionally, community planners should work with local and state governments to ensure that any new construction will be resilient in the event of a tsunami.
Insight from Experts
Experts have highlighted the importance of planning for the prevention of tsunamis in Lake Michigan. For instance, Prof. Tom Ridge (associate professor in geology and natural disasters at the University of Michigan) noted that “tsunamis are an unpredictable yet foreseeable hazard, and we must be conscious of our actions and make sure that we can absorb and cope with their effects if they do occur”. He added that “the effects of tsunamis are usually more damaging when they are not properly planned for and arrive without warning”.
Conclusion
As tsunamis in Lake Michigan are relatively rare, it is important for local and state governments to ensure that preventative measures are taken to ensure that the effects of these events are minimized. This includes investments in monitoring systems, research and analysis of seismic activities, public awareness campaigns, and the implementation of public policies that promote sustainable development and resilience along the Lake Michigan coastline.
