{"id":8700,"date":"2023-11-21T18:10:03","date_gmt":"2023-11-21T17:10:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lakebeyond.com\/?p=8700"},"modified":"2023-11-21T18:10:03","modified_gmt":"2023-11-21T17:10:03","slug":"how-many-miles-around-lake-superior","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lakebeyond.com\/how-many-miles-around-lake-superior\/","title":{"rendered":"How Many Miles Around Lake Superior"},"content":{"rendered":"
Lake superior is one of the five great lakes of North America and the largest by surface area. Located on the Canada-United States border, the lake has a circumference of 2,860 miles and covers an area of 31,700 square miles. <\/p>\n
The lake’s circumference has been estimated in various ways, from the simplest—measuring the circumference directly—to using the various methods of modern cartographic technology. One of the most accurate ways to measure the circumference of a lake is to use land-based and satellite-equipped Precision Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers, which use high-accuracy satellite-tracking technology. <\/p>\n
According to the International Joint Commission, which oversees Great Lakes issues, Lake Superior has a circumference of 2,860 miles. This is the circumference of the lake, measured in a straight line—from point A to point B—along its shoreline. <\/p>\n
Other sources, such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), give slightly different figures, but all agree that Lake Superior has a circumference of around 2,860 miles. <\/p>\n
It is interesting to note that the actual shoreline of Lake Superior is much longer than 2,860 miles—estimates by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources put it at as much as 3,482 miles. The discrepancy is due to the fact that the lake forms many “inlets” and “bays” along its shoreline, which are not included in the circumference measurement. <\/p>\n
The volume of Lake Superior is estimated to be about 2,900 cubic miles, making it the second-largest of the five great lakes. Its average depth is about 483 feet and the deepest point is about 1,332 feet. <\/p>\n
In addition to its huge size, Lake Superior has another distinctive feature—it is the coldest of the five Great Lakes. Its average temperature is 41°F (5°C), and in January, the lake’s surface can get as cold as 17°F (-8°C). <\/p>\n
Lake Superior is shaped more like an inverted triangle than a circle. The lake is widest at the central point of its triangle-shape, is relatively shallow along the eastern shore of its Canadian side, while its western shore on the U.S. side drops off to great depths. <\/p>\n
The south shore is bounded by the Apostle Islands of Wisconsin, while the northern shore is bounded by the Grand Portage of Ontario. The long western shore of the lake is located in Minnesota. <\/p>\n
The lake has a total of 425 islands, the largest of which is Manitoulin Island in Canada. There are also more than 900 coastal islands in the lake—many of them in the Canadian portion of the lake—which make up 87 percent of the total island area. <\/p>\n
The lake has also been formed by geologic events over thousands of years. Research conducted by the University of Minnesota has suggested that Lake Superior was formed by the draining of glacial meltwaters that carved out a deep basin. Over time, the lake extended its boundaries farther and farther north due to continued melting of the glaciers. <\/p>\n
It is believed that the lake reached its present-day size about 8,000 years ago. Since then, it has undergone significant changes due to the erosion of its coastlines and the settling of sediment from river systems. <\/p>\n
The climate of Lake Superior is greatly influenced by the lake itself, as well as by geographical factors. In wintertime, the water stores heat and helps moderate temperatures. The average temperature in the summer is around 74°F (23°C). <\/p>\n
In the winter months, temperatures drop to an average of around 41°F (5°C). Wind direction, air temperature, humidity, and air pressure all play a role in influencing the lake’s temperature. <\/p>\n
The lake’s large body of water makes it susceptible to the effects of climate change. As the climate warms and summers become longer, the lake’s average temperature is expected to increase. This will have serious implications for the lake’s balance of species, its food webs, and the regional economy. <\/p>\n
In addition to the climate, Lake Superior is also home to a host of wildlife. A variety of fish species live in the lake, including walleyes, lake trout, and lake whitefish. The lake also supports a healthy population of birds, mammals, and reptiles. <\/p>\n