MUNISING, MI – Powerful autumn winds churned Lake Superior this week, sending spectacular waves crashing against the iconic sandstone cliffs of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
A Small Craft Advisory was in effect as west winds of 15 to 20 mph, with gusts exceeding 20 mph, generated waves of four to seven feet along the coast between Munising and Grand Marais. Conditions were even more severe farther offshore, where swells reached 8 to 11 feet, prompting Gale Warnings for parts of eastern Lake Superior.
Throughout the afternoon, spray shot high into the air around famous landmarks like Miners Castle, Lover’s Leap, and Chapel Rock. Despite the turbulent water, the lake retained its signature turquoise and deep blue hues, with waves catching flashes of sunlight as they slammed into the mineral-streaked cliffs.
The dramatic scene offered a firsthand look at the constant erosion that shapes the shoreline. The National Park Service reminds visitors to exercise extreme caution, staying on marked trails and well back from cliff edges. The sandstone is notoriously unstable and can collapse without warning.
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