If You're Breathing, Maybe Thank the Moon | The Middle Island Sinkhole

Earth hasn't always had a lot of oxygen, so where did our air come from? If you're breathing right now, you have microbes to thank... but maybe also the Moon.
Since this is a new research paper, we don't have all the answers for sure, but there are some fascinating details in this story. Like, who knew there were sinkholes in Lake Huron? Let alone sinkholes with dancing microbe mats in them?
🌙 More information (and photos) on that moon painting! When I uploaded this video (on 9/18/21), there was one finished painting for sale - the one I'm holding in the video. If that one sells, I'll also open up a few pre-order slots for additional paintings: www.etsy.com/shop/alexisjdahl
✨ Want to support my work? Well, hey, thank you so much. You can learn more about how to keep this thing going at www.patreon.com/alexisdahl.
☕ Find this series valuable, but Patreon isn't for you? You can also help keep this thing going at www.buymeacoffee.com/alexisdahl.
Find Me Elsewhere:
• On Instagram, I upload a lot of nature photos, plus science and adventure stories: alexis.writes
• Want to work together or learn more about my work? Contact me at AlexisDahl.com.
• On Etsy, I sell original artwork and stickers: etsy.com/shop/AlexisJDahl
• On Twitter, I occasionally share science news and the occasional thought: alexiswrites
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Key sources on the Middle Island Sinkhole, cyanobacteria, oxygen levels on Earth, corals, the Moon, and more:
General information on Lake Huron sinkholes: www.michiganseagrant.org/less...
New study (open access): www.nature.com/articles/s4156...
Press release: www.eurekalert.org/news-relea...
Special thanks to Dr. Biddanda for clarifying some of the details here for me!
Previous Middle Island Sinkhole research:
www.nature.com/scitable/knowl...
Other Key Sources:
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...
silurian-reef.fieldmuseum.org...
www.lpi.usra.edu/education/ex...
ase.tufts.edu/cosmos/view_cha...
curious.astro.cornell.edu/abou...
#LakeHuron #GreatLakes

[@JulianOShea]

These were not things I’d ever think to put together. Great science and story, very well told.

[@AlexisDahl]

Thanks, Julian! And I totally agree - a lot of these pieces on their own are neat, but I was so delighted to see how they potentially fit together.

[@portfoliofotoz]

This was brilliant! "Skeptic-Me" kept calling B.S. because the amount of daylight in a year would be essentially the same no matter the length of the day (within the range under discussion.) I was feeling pretty smug 'till you pulled the rug out from under me. Well done! 👋

[@tarunkumaar625]

This is such a cool and interesting video topic that's presented really well. The animations complement the video excellently and I like that you added clarifications for when you simplified things or explained thing that haven't been researched completely yet. Thanks!

[@AlexisDahl]

Thanks, Tarun! I really appreciate how specific and thoughtful this comment is - that's really encouraging and helpful for me as I'm thinking through future projects. I'm glad you enjoyed this!

[@BreakingTaps]

Super fascinating story! 6 hour days must have been pretty wild (for the microbes at the time anyhow). Very cool, thanks for sharing!

[@BuckeyeStormsProductions]

I really like how you relate things to one another. An underwater sinkhole in Michigan and the Moon. It reminds me of an older show called Connections, or more currently, a channel like Vsauce. As someone who occasionally falls down Internet rabbit holes, the woven tapestry of information you provide is both interesting enough to keep my attention, but thoroughly concise enough to not have me losing an afternoon looking for more information to, "fill in the details."

[@AlexisDahl]

Aw, thank you! I appreciate it! To be fair, I think the researchers did a lot of the connecting in this case, ha - my job was just figuring out how to tell the story and what to put focus on. 🙂 It's great to hear that the balance of information worked for you!

[@BuckeyeStormsProductions]

@@AlexisDahl Not discounting the researchers at all, but this is information I never knew, and without a scicomm person such as yourself bringing it to my attention, likely would not have, either.

[@AlexisDahl]

@@BuckeyeStormsProductions Well, thanks! That's completely fair. 🙂 I feel lucky to get to spend some of my time sharing things like this!

[@BuckeyeStormsProductions]

@@AlexisDahl seeing the underwater video, I have been very tempted by a relatively inexpensive ROV called the Chasing Dory. If I lived nearer the Great Lakes, I would totally buy one. Maybe a toy...er...tool, for you to consider for your explorations, and channel!

[@AlexisDahl]

@@BuckeyeStormsProductions Oh, man, that sounds like it'd be a blast! I have been tempted to take diving lessons, with all the shipwrecks in Lake Superior. It didn't occur to me than an ROV might solve that problem... Something to think about!

[@JasonFrankenstein]

New subscriber here, also a Michigander. I learn so many things from every one of your videos! Thanks for your hard work!

[@Marionette_Doll]

I knew the day had gotten longer over time, but had never heard it was as short as 6 hours. I just did a quick look-around online to be certain and, sure enough, there's talk about when Earth's day was as short as a mere 4 hours (back before it had fully cooled after the proto-Earth/proto-planet impact that formed the moon) and getting longer from there.

[@ky1ebetts]

The moon's constant gravitational tug over millions of years could be the catalyst that helped pull life structures up out of Earth's crust.

[@Beegee1952]

Wow! That is so interesting! There is just so much more to how the world works than meets the eye.

[@mr_m4613]

Yay i always smile when there's a new Alexis video.😁🌎

[@StrongMed]

This was a cool story! Thanks for sharing!

[@AlexisDahl]

Absolutely! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@bobm2331]

Well done. Alexis. Found your channel recently and am learning gobs of good info. Keep it up.

[@nooneknows6060]

Nice job. I like the way you explain everything. You make things easy to understand.

[@AlexisDahl]

Thank you very much! That's a really meaningful compliment for me.

[@sierrafoxtrotgolf3638]

Absolutely amazing!

[@johnjunge6989]

Great stuff! Loved this!

[@twoguns5826]

I just came across this channel recently and i only have great things to say about it!! You should def have a million subs no joke the content you choose to discuss brings something inspirational and new...Keep Doing This You Rock!!!

[@AlexisDahl]

Aw, hey, thank you so much! I really appreciate the kind words!

[@choedzin]

That certainly was a fascinating video! And very clearly explained, too. Thanks.

[@AlexisDahl]

Thanks so much! Since there were so many pieces to this one, I'm especially glad to hear that.

[@TheInfamousTurk]

That was a great video! We can all be thankful to the microbes that played such a huge role in the shaping of our world!

[@AlexisDahl]

Absolutely! They're great little things. (Also, thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!)

[@garymaclean6903]

Your videos are great! Thanks for the research and significant effort made in putting them together. This one focused on the key role microbes have played in forming our lives, particularly in creating our oxygen rich atmosphere. We are still learning a great deal about these incredible creatures. Up until very recently, most of our knowledge of them was obtained from observations of their growth in agar-based petrie dishes. What we've recently discovered that there's a whole Domain of microbes (The Archaea) that typically did not grow well in these conditions and we began to really learn how large and diverse this group is after gene mapping techniques enabled us to discover their trace genetic signatures among the larger cultures of more common bacteria. Many have only been observed by their genetic signatures. Although similar to bacteria in many aspects, they have genes and several metabolic pathways that are more closely related to those of eukaryotes. The point is, there's still a great deal for us to discover about our world, and much of that is just below our feet. Your vids are an inspiration to those who want to learn more about our world, and our place in it. Please keep it up!

[@AlexisDahl]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate the kind words and the bonus information. This was fascinating to read!

[@tallowisp8868]

This is such a wild theory that you have to wonder how on earth someone would be able to find a link there. It is also the exact reason I love science so much. Connecting seemingly unrelated things through reasoning and then try proving it wrong until we are left with the theories that stand the test of time. Great video and explanation. I would love to get an update on that topic at some point in the future once more research has been done. :)

[@AlexisDahl]

Thanks! And absolutely - I'll keep an eye out for notable developments. And it's such a wild connection! In one of the press releases, there's mention of how one of the scientists got the idea after hearing another one of the scientists give a public lecture on their (ecology?) work. It sounds like a "two people being in the right place at the right time" situation!

[@tallowisp8868]

That is indeed a lucky coincidence. Even if the theory turns out to be wrong we will probably at least learn something along the way. :)

[@RDLouks]

Another wonderful video. Off the subject is that an antique desk behind you, are those leather surface inserts? I have my Grandfathers desk that looks just about like it except for the drawer pulls.

[@randallwoodruff2108]

Great video! You made this really easy to understand and follow but still managed to keep that AH-HA! moment. The role of bacteria in our daily lives is really something we are just begging to scratch the surface of. Thanks!

[@AlexisDahl]

Thanks, Randall! I'm so glad to hear that. 🙂

[@Dan-DJCc]

Instead of being one among trillions, instead this data indicates the trillion to one odds of the earth becoming what we observe today. Very unique and rare. Precious and wonderful.

[@ogreatmaster8334]

In the northern Keweenaw, on the eastern road going near the coast, there is a small stream that mainly flows northish. There is a boot a 300' square area that has sunk down with fairly steep sides and is pretty scary as you walk up to the precipice where all the trees have caved into the sunken area. If you ever get up into that area, ask around, you might find it interesting. It was just a short walk off the west side of the highway. Stopped there several times in the early 80's, wish I could tell you more, but memory fades.

[@priscillaross-fox9407]

I was a part time Yooper wandering the Keweenaw over 30 years and a 'rockhound'. I am trying to understand where this area is you speak of. I am intrigued! By 'highway', do you mean US41? All my geologic maps for the Keweenaw were left at the house we had in Kearsarge & I suspect sold at a rummage sale. There were a good many mines in the Keweenaw, could this have been one of them? I get all turned around directional wise when up there. LOL I always thought our house was on the south side of Rt 41 but then the Sun seemed to appear in the southeast! Do you remember the last town you went through before this area? Allouez, Mohawk, Phoenix, Central?

[@ogreatmaster8334]

@@priscillaross-fox9407 It was nearly 50 years ago. We used to go up there and stay with friends every summer or so to feed the huge skeeters and partake of their 50 cent beers. All I can seem to remember was that it was on the east coast of the Keweenaw on a paved road. You parked by the road and walked West [ or North West, etc ] into the woods and there was a small stream running north, or northwest, or ??. As you followed the stream there was an abrupt edge of a steep sided pit maybe 40 or 50 feet deep, where the ground had caved in. Really kind of scary, since it was right in the fairly thick wooded area. Maybe a hundred feet across or so. But again, it was long ago.

[@snowqueen113]

Very interesting, such a cool topic ! Gotta love the moon ❤️. Your sweater is fantastic, handmade knit or store bought ?

[@RomeFG]

Super interesting! Ty moon 🌙

[@EnochLight]

So refreshing to see a scientist who proudly displays their religious beliefs yet acknowledges that evolution is not only real, but had a fundamental effect on all life - including humans. Keep up the good work!

[@fluffymittens24]

Wow! That is awesome.

[@petermoran7582]

Brilliant alexis it's absofuckinlutely fascinating what this little rock spinning around space does.

[@AlexisDahl]

Thanks, Peter! And right? There's so much to learn about!

[@petermoran7582]

@@AlexisDahl exactly its that old saying that you learn something new everyday.

[@smokerings9588]

Thanks Moon!

[@davidhomer78]

We always tested for sulfur based oxygen reducing bacteria in our water storage tanks because it corrodes stainless steal. I didn't know anything about the cyanobacteria. Very interesting purple stuff.

[@JoshuaJohnsonOutdoors]

Interesting vid - thank you.

[@AlexisDahl]

Thanks, Joshua!

[@torch_k8110]

Really interesting topic! It really is an interesting theory, but there might be another reason why the oxygen levels stalled. From what I’ve learned wasting time on history is that from about 3 billion- 2 billion years ago the ocean’s were rusting. Rusting consumes oxygen so the level probably plateaued due to the production and usage of oxygen reaching an equilibrium. Once the oceans stopped rusting, the free iron wasn’t stealing oxygen thus allowing for a rise in oxygen levels

[@joeelliott2157]

What happened during the 'Boring Billion Years'? Apparently a very gradual lengthening of the day, awaiting the right tectonic plate conditions to produce enough shallow seabeds to allow tidal friction to slow the Earth's spin more quickly? An interesting theory. I'm surprised I have not heard of this before.

[@angelluisll1033]

Both earthquakes and meteor impacts have the same effects on our planet. They both have the potential to change the Topography of the planet depending on the location and level of destructive force exerted. For example, On Mar 16, 2011 - The magnitude 9.0 earthquake that struck Japan was powerful enough to shorten Earth's day by 1.8 microseconds. The earthquake moved Japan's main island about 8 feet, according to Kenneth Hudnut of the U.S. Geological Survey. The earthquake also shifted Earth's figure axis by about 6 1/2 inches (17 centimeters). This would seem to suggest that over the history of the Earth, the planet's rotation may have been altered many times which also would affect our experience or awareness of the passage of time.

[@JorfDB]

Thanks moon

[@derekbentley334]

Dog days of summer legend has it everything in the lakes does a flip. You probably know the terms

[@C.Schmidt]

I've said it once I'll say it again. Cyanobacteria for the win!!! It's really cool that the little guys kinda have their own rhythm going on and sort of dance around all day with the Sulfur-Oxidizing bacteria! They're friends!

[@AlexisDahl]

Right? I'm sure I'm always notoriously underestimating microbes, but that bit really took me by surprise. The whole ecosystem down there is fascinating!

[@C.Schmidt]

@@AlexisDahl one thing I've learned in my job so far is that a microbes gonna do what a microbes gonna do. They never cease to suprise and sometimes befuddle me.

[@AlexisDahl]

@@C.Schmidt Ha ha, "surprising and sometimes befuddling" seems like a great way to sum them up!

[@SaugatPokharel]

1st comment and the thumbnail looks great. Probably, video should be great as well.

[@AlexisDahl]

Ha, thanks, Saugat! Glad you enjoy the thumbnail. Hope you enjoy the full video!

[@kylenolan3138]

I'm not sure if she meant that it's accepted fact that day length was stable for a very long time. That seems very counterintuitive to me. By far the largest influence on changing day length are the lunar tidal forces. The magnitude of their effect varies with distance to the moon (always increasing but at a decreasing rate), the arrangement and location of land masses, and the viscosity of the mantle (generally increasing but at a decreasing rate). All together, I believe the net effect should be that day length over any substantial time period has always been increasing. Does anyone know of science to the contrary?

[@LadyYoop]

You are so awesome! I have a friend who "works by the moon". I buy her an astrological calendar every year...and she sets up everything she does depending on the moon cycle. Even surgeries, etc....it's pretty cool!

[@AlexisDahl]

Aw, shucks, thanks! Also, that's so interesting! If nothing else, that seems like a fun way to keep time!

[@LadyYoop]

@@AlexisDahl Seriously, EVERYTHING by the moon cycle. Housecleaning, haircuts, surgery, etc....she is amazing.

[@LadyYoop]

@@AlexisDahl ok...here's some scoop from Michigan Rocks: That sinkhole isn’t in Lake Michigan, it’s in Lake Huron right near where I live. I had tentative plans to kayak around Middle Island this summer with one of my subscribers, but we never got around to doing it. We were going to ask Bill to tow our kayaks out there from El Cajon Bay, where there’s another sinkhole that you’ve seen in my videos. Middle Island is about three miles from El Cajon Bay, I think.

[@LadyYoop]

and here is his channel. I LOVE it....he hits the Keweenaw annually. LOVE it. kzbin.info?search_query=michigan+rocks

[@AlexisDahl]

@@LadyYoop Oh, neat! Thanks for sharing. Michigan Rocks is a great channel! (I'm not sure I understand the "that sinkhole isn't in Lake Michigan" bit, though. Could you clarify that for me? I might just be missing some context.)

[@andygillespie1523]

Have you've ever looked into the experiments of the moon that vibrates or rings after impact?

[@roccomoretti]

I was under the impression that the atmospheric oxygen stall was related to the "rusting out" of the oceans as the newly created oxygen was used up by reacting with oxidizable iron in the oceans to form iron deposits. -- Which, by the way Alexis, you're nicely situated to look into, as this iron deposit is the same one that U.P. towns like Ironwood, Iron Mountain and Iron River are named after.

[@AlexisDahl]

An iron-related video has been on my list for ages! 🙂 As far as "rusting out" goes - that's really interesting! Are you thinking of banded iron formations? (The researchers didn't mention that at all, but I learned recently that banded iron formations disappear in the rock record in Michigan after ~1.8 billion years ago - which might account for some of the stall, but not all of it. And if you're not thinking if BIFs, disregard me, ha.)

[@derekbentley334]

The water speaking. Be thankful for the suppression that happen. Honga Tonga

[@John-qx4ul]

You have got one of the prettiest Smiles I believe I've ever seen. But anyways my question if water is made up of two parts hydrogen and one part oxygen then how is it that water can be water with low oxygen content I don't understand how water cannot have oxygen in it. Seeing how it's made of hydrogen and oxygen. I was always told the only dumb question you'll ever have is one you didn't ask. Love your Channel keep up the good work. Merry Christmas.

[@EnochLight]

She’s married, John. Stop being creepy

[@garymaclean6903]

When discussing Oxygen in water, they're referring to atmospheric Oxygen (O2) present by being dissolved in the water. (H2O) The Oxygen in the water molecule has strong molecular bonds to Hydrogen atoms, while dissolved atmospheric Oxygen (O2) is dissolved within the liquid water, much like other gasses or liquids might be. They aren't molecularly bonded to the water.

[@thesergiorevengeshow]

Uh, it seems like "stuff" like this might be useful in terraforming, maybe? (at least , at some base level a "kick starter" for "seeding")

[@AlexisDahl]

Oh, interesting thought! I wouldn't be surprised if some researchers had already looked into this - microbes are just so versatile!

[@derekbentley334]

Just for thought. Underwater volcanoes and polar ice melt.

[@derekbentley334]

We are at a NEW dawn. The world a infant in the scheme of things. I have awoke

[@EnochLight]

You’re woke? Don’t tell fox & friends that 🤣

[@mr.listener8580]

All by chance?

[@DirtyOdin64]

Snowball earth? No tides if it’s all frozeb

[@derekbentley334]

I thought Michigan was on a mushroom not a rock. Lol

[@realamerican6101]

When the Earth was new it was smaller .

[@derekbentley334]

4yrs research

[@allenschmitz9644]

So when was the Sun and Moon invented.

[@apalladium5k]

Viewer interaction!

[@kennethbransford820]

=== Wouldn't the change in seasons be the cause for cyanobacteria trading places with the white bacteria? ===

[@billrey8221]

So....If Earth has gone through so many changes in the past, why should I care about a few degrees temperature rise now days? Sounds like Earth will work things out on its own. (We need to stop the volcanos)

[@AlexisDahl]

Yes! This is such a good question. If you're interested in learning more, I'd recommend checking out Crash Course Climate & Energy here on KZbin. (I edited the scripts for that series.) But the short version is that the temperature rise we're experiencing now is happening much faster than anything that's normal for the Earth, and such rapid (and unrelenting) change can mess with a lot of systems around the planet.

[@priscillaross-fox9407]

Yes, Earth could work out issues if it weren't for meager men who want control. Just wondering why you would want to be one of them? Volcanoes are as natural as the air we USED to breathe.

[@derekbentley334]

Paper Chaser- Kevin Gates

[@redwoodcoast]

Logic leads us to assume that some large heavenly body either smashed into the earth in the direction opposite to its rotation or a much larger body swung so close to the earth but in the opposite direction that its gravity pulled on the earth strongly enough to slow it down.

[@derekbentley334]

Spores and pores ugh!

[@budwilliams6590]

It is pretty clear that you believe i the evolutionary theory, yet you wear a cross. How do you reconcile the discrepancies?

[@derekbentley334]

Follow the money I did once for 4yrs.