Let’s dive in to what is the difference between a lake and an inland sea.
Lakes: These watery gems are like introverts at a party—they’re completely surrounded by land. No oceanic VIP pass for them! Lakes don’t hobnob with the salty sea; they’re content being landlocked.
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| Landlocked Lake |
Inland Seas: Now, these are the social butterflies. They’re at sea level (literally) and have an all-access pass to the ocean. Picture them as the cool kids who can seamlessly transition from lake chat to ocean gossip.
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| This way to ocean! |
Lakes: Think cozy, intimate gatherings. Lakes come in all sizes—small, medium, or large. Some are like pocket-sized puddles, while others sprawl out like watercolor masterpieces. But they’re generally shallower and more chill.
Inland Seas: These are the grand galas. They’re massive, covering vast stretches of real estate. The Great Lakes, for instance, are like freshwater continents. They’ve got depth, volume, and a guest list that includes tsunamis, rogue waves, and storm surges. Fancy, huh?
Lake Superior is often referred to as an inland sea due to its immense size and ocean-like characteristics. Covering an area of 31,700 square miles, it is the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area1. This vast expanse of water creates conditions similar to those found in seas, including significant wave action, strong currents, and even its own weather patterns. The sheer scale of Lake Superior makes it feel more like an inland sea than a typical lake.
Another reason Lake Superior is considered an inland sea is its role in maritime navigation. The lake serves as a crucial part of the Great Lakes shipping route, accommodating large vessels known as “lakers” and “salties” that transport goods between ports on the Great Lakes and beyond. These ships navigate through the lake’s deep waters, much like they would in an ocean. The presence of such large-scale commercial shipping operations further blurs the line between a lake and an inland sea.
Lastly, Lake Superior’s ecological and geological features contribute to its classification as an inland sea. The lake supports a diverse range of marine life and has a complex ecosystem that includes deep-water habitats, rocky shorelines, and vast stretches of open water. Additionally, the lake’s geological history, shaped by glacial activity and tectonic movements, mirrors the processes that form seas. These factors combine to create an environment that is more like an inland sea than a freshwater lake.
True tides—changes in water level caused by the gravitational forces of the sun and moon—do occur in a semi-diurnal (twice daily) pattern on the Great Lakes. Studies indicate that the Great Lakes spring tide, the largest tides caused by the combined forces of the sun and moon, is less than five centimeters in height.
ReplyDeleteWe love Lake Superior. Duluth/Superior is the furthest inland port in the world. And now, how about a deep dive into Lake Caspian.
ReplyDeleteAnd in Plymouth, Massachusetts, reportedly, there are 365 sandy-bottomed glacial lakes. We spend time at one called Island Pond. I love your apt description of them as introverts conducive to cozy gatherings. As a kid, we summered at Baboosic Lake in NH - that one featured a more mud-like bottom and had a tributary out to the Merrimac River. We loved pushing out as far as the tangle would let us go.
ReplyDeleteYay Lakes!