How did the lake get the name lake superior?

Answer 1

Lake Superior's formation began with the Canadian Shield, which is the foundation of North America. It is estimated to be around 3.3 billion years old. About 1.1 billion years ago a rift began to split the continental crust. This allowed lava to ooze out from the rift. These lava flows cooled and hardened into the rock we currently find on Minnesota's north shore of Lake Superior. Multiple lava flows cooled and hardened on top of one another, overlapping in places like Gooseberry Falls State Park. After these "eruptions" occurred, the continent began to sag along the rift, leaving a basin that eventually filled with sediment. When that sediment was covered with water and compacted, sedimentary rocks were formed. Glaciers then formed and covered the Lake Superior area, and at least four periods of glacial activity are recorded in the sediments left behind from after the glaciers melted. As the final glacial ice melted, it filled the Lake Superior basin. Currently, glacial rebound is still happening - this is the actual rising of the earth due to the relief of the weight of the glaciers. We also see geologic activity around modern Lake Superior through sandbar and dune formation, erosion, and weathering.

This answer is a summary of the information found in Lake Effects: The Lake Superior curriculum guide for grades K-8, copyright 1998 Great Lakes Aquarium

Answer 2

Lake Superior got its name form the Ojibwa's language, the lake is called Gichigami, meaning "Big Water"

Answer 3

about 1million years ago!