Amygdaloid Island facts for kids
 Amygdaloid Island
Location in Michigan
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| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Lake Superior Isle Royale National Park |
| Coordinates | 48°09′04″N 88°37′14″W / 48.15111°N 88.62056°W |
| Area | 0.95 sq mi (2.5 km2) |
| Administration | |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Keweenaw County |
| Township | Eagle Harbor Township |
| Demographics | |
| Population | Uninhabited |
Amygdaloid Island is a small island located in Lake Superior. It sits just off the northeastern coast of Isle Royale, a larger island that is part of Isle Royale National Park. This national park is a special protected area in the U.S. state of Michigan. The island is looked after by park rangers from the U.S. National Park Service.
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Exploring Amygdaloid Island's Geography
Amygdaloid Island is about 3.8 miles (6 kilometers) long. However, it is quite narrow, being no more than 0.25 miles (0.4 kilometers) wide. Like the other islands in the Isle Royale area, Amygdaloid Island is an ancient ridge. It is made of a type of rock called basalt. This ridge stretches from the southwest to the northeast.
Waterways and Access Around the Island
Amygdaloid Island is separated from the main Isle Royale by a stretch of water called Amygdaloid Channel. Not many people visited the island until the 1990s. That's when sea kayaking became more popular. Kayaks allowed people to reach the island using their own power.
However, the waters of Lake Superior around Amygdaloid Island can be very dangerous. They are known for strong winds and sudden waves. Because of this, it is not recommended for kayakers who are new to the sport to navigate these waters. Safety is always important when exploring this area.
The Unique Geology of Amygdaloid Island
The island is famous for a special rock formation called the Amygdaloid Island Flow. This flow is made of basaltic lava. When the lava was still hot, it contained small bits of silica. As the lava cooled down, these silica bits hardened into beautiful pink agate stones.
The agates found on Amygdaloid Island often have a unique shape. They look like almonds, or are "amygdaloidal." This special shape is how the island got its name, Amygdaloid.
See Also
