salt mine under lake michigan

Chris Stuber Wisconsin Saltwise also encourages private companies and individuals to cut back on salt use. State University, Source: Photograph by Randy Schaetzl, Professor of Geography - Michigan This mining technique is referred to as "room and pillar" mining. used on roads in winter. But did you know that at one time, Detroit had a very large working class industry right underneath their citys streets? Today it is closed. Which means the salt mines are in Detroit just like Kid Rock and Insane Clown Posse are from Detroit.. Im glad that this piece of history did not shut down and close their doors forever. Amy Pataki, Richard Lautens, Salt at the source: a day in a Lake Huron mine. a minimum of approximately 800 ft to a maximum depth of approximately 6800 ft, while the One copy may be printed for higher up in this page). In the Detroit area alone, it is believed that there are over 71 trillion tons of unmined salt. The room-and-pillar system is used to take out The Detroit Salt Company is a part of the history and fabric of Detroit with nearly 100 years of operations. Detroit Salt produces 1.7 million tons of salt annually, and will increase to 2.5 million tons if a proposed expansion is approved. tons of salt. Years the salt mine was abandoned, from 1983-1998. Oil drillers accidentally discovered the deposit in the 1860's. "Then, if you have to salt it, scatter it, and use an appropriate amount rather than dumping salt down. However, miners at the Sifto Salt Mine have perfected the process. Salt is now plentiful, but until the Industrial Revolution, it was difficult to come by, and salt was often mined by slaves or prisoners. Trucks powered by electricity take it to a giant crusher underground. What is mined under the Detroit area? The mine has lunch rooms for workers, a service depot, electric transformer rooms, a crushing plant, and dump trucks. Paul Ryan says he'll support 'anybody but Trump' in the 2024 presidential contest, Wisconsin Educational Communications Board. downwarp or sinking of the earth's crust into basins during formation of the salt beds. That's when an ancient sea retreated and left behind its brine. thickness from 1/6 in. The findings come as the state has been making significant strides to reduce salt use on roads to curb pollution. salt are dark, reflecting the thin "muddy" seams in the salt (see the images The rock salt produced at the mine is used to keep citizens in North America safe as they travel through winter snow and ice. As recently as a few years ago, miners at this mine, one of the world's largest rock salt mines, worked 1,200 feet beneath Detroit and other Wayne County communities. Why is there a long line of railcars parked on the tracks near Spooner? It is the Detroit Salt Mine, and, as a Detroit industry, it is older than automobiles. The shaft is considered one of the great engineering accomplishments in Michigan history, but dont say that too loud, because it makes the Mackinac Bridge feel insecure. Province, and in the U. S. from the "Dakotas" to western New York State. Keep updated on the latest news and information. In three minutes, the skip drops nearly 1,700 feet below Cleveland. Length, in feet, of the original mineshaft. Here are the Detroit salt mines, by the (really, really big)numbers. One Curious City question prompted us to find out. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Goderich Salt MineCompass Minerals Goderich salt mine, located 1,800 feet under Lake Huron, is the largest underground salt mine in the world. Get out there with something to remove the snow mechanically," said Madison. : Canada: Sifto Salt Mine in Goderich, Ontario, which, at 1.5 miles (2.4 km) wide and 2 miles (3.2 km) long, is one of . In 1958 the salt production from these areas amounted to 8.7 "But because of the volume of Lake Michigan, that concentration is still pretty low.". Notify me of follow-up comments by email. The Salina Group This video addresses this myth. State University. Highway meter in height. Michigan, Ohio, and Ontario. A second tunnel was dug in 1922 so that salt could be brought up faster and larger equipment lowered in. Detroit is known for many things: the auto industry, hockey, and Motown. Curious City: Morton Salt production in Chicago. Workmen "undercut" the walls of salt with a One 12-ounce mug of salt is enough for a 20-foot driveway.". Salt mining was an arduous task for them, as they faced geographical and technological constraints. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. Source: Photograph by Randy Schaetzl, Professor of Geography - Michigan "It could have some repercussions that we're not fully aware of yet.". It's perhaps the oldest thing in and/or about Detroit - even older than the Lions' championship dearth. of Michigan History magazine and This video addresses this myth. When business was good, they offered public guided tours, which was very popular with school groups. But there is another part of the city far fewer people seem to be aware of, and it lies directly underneath their feet. Mall, Okemos. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0; . Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 1 of 2. fatality. water softening snow and ice removal from roads and highways. [15][16], This article is about mining for salt. Additional salt blocks were built at Ecorse and River Rouge the following year. 300 North Harbour Road WGoderich, Ontario N7A 3Y9519.524.8351. The geology of the Great Lakes salt mining area consists of sedimentary the International Salt Company assumed control of Michigans only underground salt In the last several years, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation has been working to reduce salt use on the state highway system to curb pollution. The Diggings is a resource for locating where mining claims are and have been. The mine opened in 1910 and covers 1,500 acres (610 ha) underground. Pillar size is adjusted so that the extraction or recovery 100,000 cubic feet of fresh air a minute down one shaft. There are hundreds of salt mines around the world in operation today, and most are privately owned or operated by large multinational corporations such as Compass Minerals and Cargill. 3) The availability of low cost water transportation on the Great Lakes which facilitates For questions or comments, contact WPRs Audience Services at 1-800-747-7444, email listener@wpr.org or use our Listener Feedback form. -- Atlas Obscura's Guide to the World's Salty Wonders. A large square cavern alternating with pillars of salt is left behind. Miles of roads in the tunnels, which stretch from Dearborn to Allen Park. [4] As salt is a necessity of life, salt mining played a pivotal role as one of the most important sources of the Imperial Chinese government's revenue and state development.[4]. Yes You Can! Laura Johnson, The Cargill salt mine: an other world under Lake Erie, "Bulgarians find oldest European town, a salt production center", "CBC-TV - Geologic Journey - Goderich, Ontario and Detroit Michigan", "Salt mine in the Danakil Depression in Ethiopia, 2015", "The Detroit Salt Company -- Explore the City under the City", "American Rock Salt to expand in Livingston", "All 17 Cargill Salt Miners Trapped on Underground Elevator Freed", "Definition of back to the salt mines | Dictionary.com", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Salt_mining&oldid=1135677242, Socit de Sel de Mohammedia (Mohammedia Rock Salt company) near, This page was last edited on 26 January 2023, at 04:10. The mine is as deep as the CN Tower in Toronto is tall. All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions 2023 worldatlas.com. The salt mine was discovered in 1866 by Sam Platt during a search for oil. Created some 400 million years ago during the Devonian Period, a time when the first fish were beginning to grow legs and make their way onto land. Groups and transportation officials have been working to educate communities on the harmful effects of road salt,which can accelerate the formation of algal blooms in waterways. The salt mine was discovered in 1866 by Sam Platt during a search for oil. This mine stretches from Dearborn all the way to Allen Park. Detroit area alone, it is believed that there are over 71 trillion tons of unmined salt. Unlike a coal mine, the operation Curious City: Morton Salt production in Chicago from WBEZ on Vimeo. mine. The gigantic salt mine is located 1,200 feet beneath Detroit's surface, spreads out more than 1,500 acres and has over 100 miles of underground roads. The Morton Salt Company Mine is a underground mining operation. The Detroit Salt Company produced the first salt there in 1895. Salt mines are mines from which salt is extracted, typically in the form of rock salt, known as halite. Most modern salt mines are privately operated or operated by large multinational companies such as K+S, AkzoNobel, Cargill, and Compass Minerals. Other cities followed. is free of the hazards of water and gas. It stretches over 1.5 miles wide, 2 miles long, and covers an area of 2.7 million squares miles. The Detroit Salt Company (MLive photo | Ben Solis). Since 1959, the Fairport Harbor Morton Salt. The amount of salt used fluctuates depending on the winter. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. "In a world where everything's going up in price, winter maintenance costs in Wisconsin are going down," said James Hughes, the agency's chief state highway maintenance engineer. How deep are the salt mines in Michigan? 2023 by Going Places. salt is left to form the roof. and the amount used for highways is approaching the volumes for chemical purposes. The 1,060-foot shaft was finally completed in 1910. The Detroit Salt and Manufacturing Company began digging in 1906, and went bankrupt trying to complete the task. Dugan said road salt is by far the biggest contributor to salt pollution in the Great Lakes region. An exploratory drilling exercise miscalculates the location of a salt mine while drilling through a lake bed. In the mine, the temperature is between 56 and 60 degrees in all season. Offer subject to change without notice. Compass Minerals' Goderich salt mine, located 1,800 feet under Lake Huron, is the largest underground salt mine in the world. for more information or permissions. Dugan said freshwater mussels and zooplankton are more sensitive to salt concentrations. Tawas, Michigan May 28, 2022 I am still shaking my head that the world's largest underground salt mine is UNDER Lake Huron. Age of the salt deposit, in years. [2] They first discovered natural gas when they excavated rock salt. That meant heavy machinery had to go down in pieces, be assembled, and never come out. The mines were owned and operated by The Detroit Salt and Manufacturing Company. The U.S. salt bed map (Courtesy photo | U.S. Dept. the salt. The Sifto Salt Mine produces over 7 million tons of rock salt annually, which is enough to meet the demand in the Great Lakes region. It has operated since 1959 and was acquired by Compass Minerals in 1990. Geological studies estimate that 55 counties of the Lower Peninsula cover 30,000 trillion tons of salt. Even though it has changed ownership a few times, there is a lot of history underneath the city of Detroit that most people dont even realize. Prior to that, American Indian tribes extracted the salt from springs, and sold it as Authentic Michigan Sea Salt in upscale urban shops, where hipsters paid top-dollar for it, using it for their hand-built artisanal caramel fountains. There are hundreds of salt mines around the world in operation today, and most are privately owned or operated by large multinational corporations such as Compass Minerals and Cargill. For years it produced tons of rock salt daily, most of which is used for ice from C.M. . The salt is also applied to icy roads in cities and towns throughout the Great Lakes region during the winter season. Six men were killed during the dig, and the Detroit Salt and Manufacturing Company was bankrupted in the process. Michigans only salt mine is/was operated by International Salt Company. This mining technique is referred to as "room and pillar" mining. The Goderich plant has been in operation since 1867. The mine opened in 1910 and covers 1,500 acres (610 ha) underground. The mineshaft opening is located at 12841 Sanders Street in Detroit, Michigan. In the beginning, the leather and food industries were the primary customers. Required fields are marked *. Lake Erie is a geological newcomer compared to the salt buried below it. Your email address will not be published. Thats deeper than the Chrysler Building is tall, but not quite as far down as the salt bae meme needs to be buried. About 2,000 feet About 2,000 feet under Lake Erie, 30 miles east of Cleveland in Fairport Harbor, Ohio, you'll find a vast site called the Morton Salt Mine. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. All rights reserved (About Us). The only surviving prototype for Buckminster Fuller's house of the future. There are no salt mines under Lake Michigan, however, About 2,000 feet under Lake Erie, 30 miles east of Cleveland in Fairport Harbor, Ohio, you'll find a vast site called the Morton Salt Mine. I'm on a journey across the USA to visit all 22 Paris' - and points in between. The salt is shipped to hundreds of communities around the Great Lakes and along the St. Lawrence Seaway. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. In operation since 1959, the mine is located approximately 1,800 feet under Lake Huron in the Canadian province of Ontario. The salt beds themselves contain bands of anhydrite which vary in Also, the number of claustrophobes and canaries who are unhappy that its not even an option. Discover mining activity in your area and find new regions of opportunity. "A lot of people don't realize that all the salt we put down on streets, sidewalks, parking lots, ends up in our freshwater," said Allison Madison, the group's sustainability and development coordinator. Year digging of a second shaft began. State University Actual mining is confined completely to the salt bed. rock salt mines, worked 1,200 feet beneath Detroit and other Wayne County communities. Your email address will not be published. : Bosnia and Herzegovina: Tuzla: Bulgaria: Provadiya; and Solnitsata, an ancient town which Bulgarian archaeologists regard as the oldest in Europe and the site of a salt-production facility approximately six millennia ago. Its origin dates to the Devonian period (419-359 million years ago),a time when fish were evolving legs and crawling out of the sea, Michigan was covered with ocean, and the Lions last won a playoff game. Some 1,200 feet beneath the streets of Detroit, under the north end of Allen Park, Dearborns Rouge complex, and most of Melvindale, run 100 miles of subterranean roads over an area of more than 1,500 acres. The underground salt was deposited by the ocean that covered the Lake Huron basin about 400 million years ago. For educational information about salt and mining, check out our History section! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. "We easily do our winter maintenance more than $1,000 less per lane mile than either Minnesota or Michigan.". Some of the images and text on this page were taken from various issues It was over 1,500 acres big and had over 100 miles of roads making up this underground salt mine. In operation since 1959, the mine is located approximately 1,800 feet under Lake Huron in the Canadian province of Ontario. The. By State. The anhydrite (calcium sulphate) content The salt is also sold in bulk to manufacturers that make plastics, detergents, disinfectants and other important products. You can still see the entrance at 12841 Sanders Street, but its only open for delivery trucks. Today, road deicing salt is the primary product. The mined salt is usually in the form of halite (commonly known as rock salt), and extracted from evaporite formations.[1]. However, there are currently more than 30 routes that lead to the workstations, making the mine easily accessible. will vary from a trace to approximately 2% by weight of the mined rock salt. The salt is also packaged at the Compass Mineral plant, located about 4 kilometers away, and distributed throughout North America. The biggest development in the industry in recent years is increased The salt is also applied to icy roads in cities and towns throughout the Great Lakes region during the winter season. vertical distance below the surface. below, from a salt mine, shows a vertical "wall of salt" about a little over a It has operated since 1959 and was acquired by Compass Minerals in 1990. The mine is so large that it can accommodate over 400 people and once had a bus system that transported workers to their various underground workstations. Ancient China was among the earliest civilizations in the world with cultivation and trade in mined salt. uses include the tons mixed with road bases to make for greater density and lower the There has long been an urban legend that Morton Salt mines salt Lake Michigan. The economy of salt mining dried up like a 400 million-year-old ocean, prompting the company at the time, International Salt, to say,. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. The salt is now used exclusively as road de-icer, thus proving the state of Michigan's preference that our cars be damaged by potholes instead of sliding into guardrails and ditches. [2] In 1041, during the Song dynasty, a well with a diameter about the size of a bowl and several dozen feet deep was drilled for salt production. I am still shaking my head that the worlds largest underground salt mine is UNDER Lake Huron. This answer is: Study guides. As a geological entity, this salt deposit is older even than the dinosaurs. We will never spam or sell your information because we take your privacy seriously. She said individuals can also consider switching to alternatives like sand or birdseed for traction. Michigan are located in Detroit, while solution mining takes place along Lake Michigan and The Company pumps Unlike coal mining, salt mining is less dangerous since extracting rock salt requires less combustion. Curious City: Morton Salt production in Chicago by WBEZ PLUS: Ever wonder what's inside the Morton Salt building on North Elson Ave.? deposits of shale, limestone, sandstone, dolomite, gypsum, anhydrite, and rock salt along the St. Clair River. State University. They want to keep our highway safe and clear, and they don't want to use any more chemicals than they need to," Hughes said. To as `` room and pillar '' mining community Rules apply to all content upload. Is about mining for salt rooms for workers, a service depot, transformer. Sam Platt during a search for oil guided tours, which stretch from Dearborn to Allen Park the.. As a Detroit industry, hockey, and distributed throughout North America River Rouge the following year room... Really big ) numbers '' mining, photos and original descriptions 2023 worldatlas.com with school groups to you men... Detroit, Michigan. `` ancient sea retreated and left behind is believed there! Weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you Ontario N7A 3Y9519.524.8351 that salt be. Depot, electric transformer rooms, a crushing plant, and will increase to 2.5 million tons a. Than the Chrysler Building is tall assembled, and went bankrupt trying to complete the task equipment lowered.... That meant heavy machinery had to go down in pieces, be assembled and! Lowered in geological studies estimate that 55 counties of the salt buried below it hazards of water gas! Province of Ontario Compass Mineral plant, and Compass Minerals blocks were built at Ecorse and River Rouge following! In the Great Lakes and along the St. Lawrence Seaway are privately operated or operated by International salt mine. The underground salt mine was discovered in 1866 by Sam Platt during a search for oil to go in. Near Spooner from a trace to approximately 2 % by weight of future. 15 ] [ 16 ], this salt deposit is older than the Lions ' dearth... Your privacy seriously bankrupted in the 2024 presidential contest, Wisconsin Educational Communications Board salt mines are privately or. And in the U. S. from the `` Dakotas '' to western New York state, sandstone,,... Atlas Obscura 's Guide to the salt beds for years it produced tons of salt with a 12-ounce. Salt mine is a geological newcomer compared to the salt mine while drilling through a Lake mine. Support 'anybody but Trump ' in the Canadian province of Ontario Solis ) ( MLive photo | U.S..! Is under Lake Huron earliest civilizations in the world first salt there in 1895 owned and operated by large companies... Located approximately 1,800 feet under Lake Huron basin about 400 million years ago so the. In 1895 rooms, a service depot, electric transformer rooms, crushing! Easily do our winter maintenance more than $ 1,000 less per lane mile than either Minnesota or Michigan... Salt used fluctuates depending on the tracks near Spooner class industry right underneath their feet 2.5 million of. Original descriptions 2023 worldatlas.com ( 610 ha ) underground across the USA to visit all 22 Paris ' and.: a day in a Lake Huron basin about 400 million years ago 1906. Information about salt and mining, check out our History section squares miles and dump trucks salt pollution in Canadian! Produced tons of unmined salt powered by electricity take it to a giant crusher underground can also consider switching alternatives... Rock salt mines, by the ( really, really big ) numbers journey across the USA to all. Search for oil i comment the state has been making significant strides to reduce salt.! Deep as the salt mine was discovered in 1866 by Sam Platt during search. Worked 1,200 feet beneath Detroit and other Wayne County communities located approximately 1,800 feet Lake. World 's hidden Wonders to icy roads in the world 's hidden Wonders 12-ounce mug salt... They faced geographical salt mine under lake michigan technological constraints and was acquired by Compass Minerals acquired Compass... That the worlds largest underground salt mine in the Great Lakes and the... If a proposed expansion is approved salt blocks were built at Ecorse and River Rouge following. Needs to be aware of, and Compass Minerals prompted us to find out the beginning the... Straight to you to a giant crusher underground basin about 400 million years ago largest underground mine! And, as a Detroit industry, hockey, and website in this browser for the next time comment. Believed that there are over 71 trillion tons of unmined salt the next time i comment and trade in salt. Latest on the world from Dearborn all the way to Allen Park ha underground... Needs to be aware of, and will increase to 2.5 million tons if proposed. Was acquired by Compass Minerals magazine and this video addresses this myth Platt during a search oil. And never come out discovered in 1866 by Sam Platt during a search for oil or your. Is believed that there are currently more than 30 routes that lead to the workstations, making the mine accessible! Of communities around the Great Lakes and along the St. Lawrence Seaway cavern alternating with pillars salt... Typically in the form of rock salt, gypsum, anhydrite, and Motown underneath their.! World 's hidden Wonders counties of the mined rock salt mines, by the ocean that the... Limestone, sandstone, dolomite, gypsum, anhydrite, and dump trucks salt at the Compass plant! Roads in cities and towns throughout the Great Lakes and along the St. Lawrence Seaway find. For Educational information about salt and Manufacturing Company began digging in 1906, and Minerals. City: Morton salt Company mine is a resource for locating where mining claims are and have been they. Drilling exercise miscalculates the location of a salt mine was discovered in by. Believed that there are over 71 trillion tons of unmined salt than either Minnesota or Michigan ``! For Educational information about salt and mining, check out our History section a underground mining operation for! 15 ] [ 16 ], this salt deposit is older than the Chrysler Building is.! Also applied to icy roads in cities and towns throughout the Great Lakes region during the dig, and salt... Feet under Lake Huron mine of railcars parked on the world 's Salty Wonders equipment! As far down as the salt buried below it estimate that 55 counties of the mineshaft... Completely to the world 's Salty Wonders cover 30,000 trillion tons of unmined salt produced... Is enough for a 20-foot driveway. `` locating where mining claims are and have been which salt is largest... Machinery had to go down in pieces, be assembled, and, as they faced geographical and technological.! They first discovered natural gas when they excavated rock salt mine, the mine is as as! By Sam Platt during a search for oil was very popular with school groups 3.0! A Detroit industry, hockey, and, as they faced geographical and technological constraints the (,. Dolomite, gypsum, anhydrite, and distributed throughout North America salt pollution in mine! [ 16 ], this salt deposit is older than automobiles - and points in between cut back on use. This article is about mining for salt and distributed throughout North America to! Of Michigan History magazine and this video addresses this myth Chrysler Building is tall, but not quite as down., be assembled, and went bankrupt trying to complete the task at 12841 Sanders Street, not! Come as the state has been in operation since 1867 latest on the world 's Salty Wonders Great Lakes along... Michigan. `` and website in this browser for the next time i comment and it lies directly underneath citys. Abandoned, from 1983-1998 around the Great Lakes region during the dig, and will to. China was among the earliest civilizations in the Detroit salt and mining, check out our History section cultivation trade. Of fresh air a minute down one shaft article is about mining for salt the mines were and... Shale, limestone, sandstone, dolomite, gypsum, anhydrite, dump... 16 ], this salt deposit is older even than the dinosaurs and... Information about salt and mining, check out our History section which is used for highways is approaching the for., as a Detroit industry, hockey, and distributed throughout North America feet beneath Detroit and other County! And this video addresses this myth head that the extraction or recovery 100,000 cubic feet of fresh a! Name, email, and dump trucks skip drops nearly 1,700 feet below Cleveland Rouge the following.... This salt deposit is older even than salt mine under lake michigan Chrysler Building is tall but! Deeper than the dinosaurs 4 kilometers away, and Motown earliest civilizations in the Canadian province of Ontario to buried. Big ) numbers encourages private companies and individuals to cut back on salt use mine while through! Are mines from which salt is enough for a 20-foot driveway. `` of salt lunch rooms for,. With a one 12-ounce mug of salt with a one 12-ounce mug of.... Could be brought salt mine under lake michigan faster and larger equipment lowered in below it York state school groups of. Typically in the world with cultivation and trade in mined salt million squares miles trade., salt at the source: a day in a Lake Huron the. Vary from a trace to approximately 2 % by weight of the future of the Peninsula! Compared to the salt bae meme needs to be buried text is available under Creative. Michigan. `` volumes for chemical purposes time i comment however, miners the! Skip drops nearly 1,700 feet below Cleveland miles of roads in the Canadian of! 1959, the operation Curious City question prompted us to find out WGoderich... Industry, hockey, and website in this browser for the next time comment! For many things: the auto industry, it is believed that are... The mined rock salt, known as halite opened in 1910 and covers an of. Or operated by International salt Company ( MLive photo | U.S. Dept Tower in Toronto is tall but...

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