2024-08-27 11:00:04
The depths of the ocean still hide many mysteries. Off the coast of the Canary Islands, Spanish researchers recently revealed the existence of ancient islands submerged for millions of years, some of whose beaches have remained intact. This discovery raises many questions, including that of a possible legendary origin linked to the famous Atlantis.
The discovered seamount, named Los Atlantes, is located east of Lanzarote. This gigantic edifice, of a diameter 50 km, is home to three now inactive volcanoes, the summit of which is 2,300 meters deep. For Luis Somoza, geologist at theInstitut Geological and Mining Institute of Spain (IGME-CSIC), this site could well be at the origin of the legend of Atlantis. According to him, these islands would have emerged during the Eocene before gradually sinking under the waters, like the myth told by PlatoThe discovery was made using a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV), which allowed researchers to map the seabed. The expedition is part of IGME-CSIC’s Atlantis Project, which aims to understand theactivity volcanic and hydrothermal activity in this region. On the flattened summit of Los Atlantes, scientists have identified beaches, cliffs and dunes of sableevidence that these islands were once in surface.
During the last ice age, when sea levels were much lower than they are today, these dormant volcanoes could have become islands again, providing a refuge for wildlife. However, as the waters rose again at the end of the ice age, the islands sank once again.
Lava flows on Los Atlantes, a newly discovered seamount that sank into the ocean millions of years ago.
Crédit: IGME-CSIC
Next steps for Somoza’s team include analyzing the collected volcanic rock samples to determine precisely when these islands began to submerge. A new expedition is planned for next year, to further this discovery and continue the exploration of the Canary Islands’ underwater volcanoes.
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