Why are sand dunes common along the southeastern shore of Lake Michigan?

Sand dunes are common along the southeastern shore of Lake Michigan primarily because prevailing winds blow sand inland from the lake's beaches.1

The formation of these dunes is supported by the presence of large deposits of sand and gravel near the shore, which are remnants of the region's glacial history. As these sands are exposed along the shoreline, the wind acts as the primary agent of transport, moving the particles inland to accumulate in dune formations. This process is notably exemplified at Indiana Dunes National Park, where the interaction between the lake's shoreline and consistent wind patterns creates extensive dune systems.21