Are There Active or Potentially Active Volcanoes in Michigan?

There are volcanoes all over the world, some dormant and some that are very active as we speak. What about Michigan? Are there any active or dormant volcanoes in the Lower or Upper Peninsula?

There are roughly 1,350 potentially active volcanoes worldwide, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. What about volcanoes that are currently erupting? As of October 28, 2022, 47 volcanoes around the globe were in continuing eruption status.

Are There Active or Potentially Active Volcanoes in Michigan?

The quick and simple answer to this question is no. There are no active volcanoes in the state of Michigan. However, that doesn't mean there weren't any at all throughout history.

Has There Ever Been Volcanic Activity in Michigan?

Technically, yes. About a billion years ago, there was a fracture in the earth that ran from what is now Oklahoma to Lake Superior generating volcanic activity that almost split North America. It was that volcanic activity (along with glaciers) that helped form Lake Superior. It's hard to imagine lava flowing where Lake Superior sits today.

While I was trying to find information on volcanoes in Michigan, I found something interesting. Apparently, there were also ancient volcanoes in the Upper Peninsula 1.1 billion years ago that helped form the copper mines in the U.P. I suppose that could be the same volcanic activity that helped form Lake Superior as well.

The only volcanoes that we see today in Lake Superior are ice volcanoes.