The origin of the mythical Atlantis discovered?

The depths of the ocean still hold many mysteries. Off the coast of the Canary Islands, Spanish researchers recently revealed the existence of ancient islands submerged for millions of years, with some beaches remaining intact. This discovery raises numerous questions, particularly about a possible legendary origin related to the famous Atlantis.


The newly discovered seamount, named Los Atlantes, is located east of Lanzarote. This gigantic structure, with a diameter of 30 miles (50 km), houses three now inactive volcanoes, with their summit lying 7,546 feet (2,300 meters) deep. For Luis Somoza, a geologist at Spain's Geological and Mining Institute (IGME-CSIC), this site could indeed be the origin of the legend of Atlantis. According to him, these islands might have emerged during the Eocene period before gradually sinking beneath the waves, mirroring the myth recounted by Plato.

The discovery was made possible by a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV), which allowed researchers to map the underwater reliefs. The expedition is part of the IGME-CSIC's Atlantis project, aimed at understanding volcanic and hydrothermal activity in this region. On the flattened summit of Los Atlantes, scientists identified beaches, cliffs, and sand dunes, evidence that these islands were once above the surface.

During the last glacial period, when sea levels were much lower than today, these inactive volcanoes could have become islands again, providing a refuge for wildlife. However, as the waters rose at the end of this era, the islands submerged once more.


The next steps for Somoza's team include analyzing volcanic rock samples collected to precisely determine when these islands began to submerge. A new expedition is planned for next year to further this discovery and continue exploring the submarine volcanoes of the Canary Islands.