Lake Superior

A little east of the middle of North America, Lake Superior (or gichigami in Ojibwe) is an inland sea containing 3-quadrillion gallons of water. That’s:

  • 3,000,000,000,000,000 gallons (11.4-quadrillion liters)
  • Enough to submerge North and South America under 1 foot of fresh water
  • 10% of the world’s fresh surface water
  • Over half of the water contained in the Great Lakes

Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area and the third largest by volume. Scoured into its present form by the retreating glacial ice sheet covering the region during the last Ice Age (about 10,000 years ago), Superior’s cold waters are bounded by northern hardwood and conifer forests and buffeted by continental weather patterns. continued…


Featured Articles

Winds Blew "Whale Burps" onto Superior's Shore
Winter winds whipping around Duluth and Lake Superior can produce more than snowdrifts. They can also produce "whale burps." Also known as surf balls, these oval or round bundles of fibrous material periodically show up on coastlines throughout the world.
Lake Superior's Natural Processes
The lake has a significant impact on patterns. There are also several interesting physical processes that take place in the lake.
Lake Superior's Physical Characteristics
Despite Lake Superior’s massive size, it only manages to support a limited amount of aquatic life.
Superior Facts: Facts About the Greatest Great Lake
Whether you visit Minnesota's North Shore or live there year-round, Lake Superior is a constant source of wonder.
Rip Currents: Escape the Grip of the Rip!
About rip currents on the Great Lakes and what you need to know to enjoy the beach safely
Large Mayfly Hatch Prompts Public Concern
Mayflies emerged by the thousands along the bay side of Park Point during the summer of 2007, sparking public fears of a fish kill.
Lake Superior Water Levels
Lake Superior is currently (2007) at a near-record low for its water level.
The Mystery of the Missing Smelt
Many factors have been playing into the fluctuation of the smelt population.

See Also:

Sea Grant FilesSea Grant Files
A radio program and podcast about the latest Sea Grant activities in Minnesota.
Catching Up With Aquatic ScienceCatching Up With Aquatic Science
A radio program and podcast about research concerning aquatic systems and coastal communities.
Superior Science NewsSuperior Science News
A radio series about Lake Superior research.
Making A Great Lake SuperiorMaking A Great Lake Superior
The conference drew over 440 attendees to Duluth, from over 70 towns and cities across the U.S. and Canada.

Links:

Great Lakes AquariumGreat Lakes Aquarium
Features animals and habitats found within the Great Lakes Basin.

This page last modified on May 02, 2013     © 1996 – 2013 Regents of the University of Minnesota     The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.
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