GLRC/Order of the Great Fifth Sea Joint Press Release

For Immediate Release

Traverse City, Michigan – October 25, 2025

Joint Expedition Concludes Preliminary Survey of Submerged Heritage Site in Grand Traverse Bay

The Great Lakes Research Consortium (GLRC) and The Order of the Great Fifth Sea (OGFS) have completed the initial phase of The Silent Circle Expedition, a cooperative field operation focused on the documentation of a submerged stone formation located approximately 40 feet beneath Grand Traverse Bay, Michigan.

Despite challenging meteorological conditions, including a sudden and intense weather front on October 22, the joint team successfully concluded non-invasive imaging, sonar mapping, and analog recordkeeping of the site. All operations were conducted aboard the GLRC research vessel Arcturus with subaqueous support provided by the Order’s submersible Little Concord.

“The data collected during this expedition will help refine our understanding of the Bay’s post-glacial geomorphology,” said Dr. Rebecca Hemsdale, Senior Director of Field Operations, GLRC. “Our team demonstrated exceptional resilience in adapting to unpredictable lake conditions while maintaining scientific integrity.”

Presiding Concordant Alistar Corvus of the Order of the Great Fifth Sea commented, “The lake remains a keeper of deep memory. Though storms challenged our instruments, the record — both digital and analog — reflects more than interference. It reflects presence. Our task now is to interpret that responsibly.”

Preliminary analysis indicates evidence of multiple upright stone placements and associated sediment features warranting further study. No physical disturbance of the site was conducted.

A joint review panel, comprised of representatives from the GLRC, OGFS, and regional heritage agencies, will convene in early November to assess the collected data and determine the scope of continued observation. Findings will be presented publicly at the 2026 National Symposium on Submerged Heritage and Inland Seas Research.

The participating institutions extend gratitude to the coordinating agencies and local maritime partners for logistical and environmental support during operations.

About the Great Lakes Research Consortium (GLRC)

The GLRC is an inter-university scientific collective focused on freshwater ecosystems, advanced environmental sensing, and heritage resource preservation across the Great Lakes basin. Its headquarters and principal field operations center are based in Traverse City, Michigan.

About the Order of the Great Fifth Sea (OGFS)

Founded in 1880, The Order of the Great Fifth Sea is a littoral research fellowship dedicated to the study of the Great Lakes’ hydrographic, historical, and cultural record. The Order maintains its principal Chapter House at Rawley Point, Wisconsin.