Great Lakes
The Great Lakes are a group of five stunningly large and incredibly wet masses of water located in the northern region of North America. These bodies of water are so impressive that they’ve even earned the distinction of being called “great” by some of the people who live nearby.
History
The Great Lakes were formed approximately 10,000 years ago during the last ice age when vast glaciers carved out gigantic holes in the earth’s crust. Over time, these holes, known as basins, filled with melted ice and became the freshwater lakes we know and love today.
Size
The Great Lakes are truly enormous. Together, they contain more than 5,400 cubic miles of water, which is enough water to fill 2.8 quintillion standard-sized bathtubs. They span an area of over 94,000 square miles, which is approximately the same size as the entire country of Morocco.
Names
Each of the five Great Lakes has its own unique name. These names are, in order from west to east: Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario. The names of the lakes are inspired by Native American languages, which is pretty cool if you’re into that kind of thing.
Fun Facts
- The Great Lakes contain 21% of the world’s freshwater.
- If you were to pour the Great Lakes’ water over the entire continental United States, the water would be 9.5 feet deep.
- Due to their size, the Great Lakes even have their own unique ecosystem that’s home to a huge variety of aquatic life.
- The Great Lakes are also home to a few giant, mythical monsters like Nessie, Champ, and Bessie. Or at least that’s what some people would have you believe.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Great Lakes are a truly awe-inspiring natural wonder that’s definitely worth checking out if you’re ever in the area. Just make sure to bring a life jacket if you plan on going for a dip, because these lakes are no joke.