During a recent underwater survey, a team of Spanish scientists discovered an underwater mountain that might just add a new twist to the legend of Atlantis.
The mountain was found off the coast of the Canary Islands, home to three dormant volcanoes.
This discovery has researchers buzzing with possibilities.
A Sunken Mystery
According to Live Science, the discovery was made by a team led by geologist Luis Somoza during a study of volcanic activity in the region.
Using a remotely operated vehicle, they explored the seabed and found a massive underwater mountain they've named Los Atlantes.
This isn’t just any mountain — it's nearly 14 kilometers across, and its base sits over 2 kilometers beneath the waves.
But what really caught everyone’s attention?
The flat top of this seamount, where the scientists found evidence of old beaches, cliffs, and even dunes. It seems that millions of years ago, Los Atlantes was a cluster of islands that have since slipped beneath the ocean's surface.
Could This Be the Atlantis of Legend?
Naturally, this discovery has people wondering — could this be the inspiration behind the story of Atlantis?
The idea that a once-thriving land might have sunk into the sea sounds awfully familiar, right?
Somoza himself couldn’t resist making the connection, hinting that Los Atlantes might just be the origin of the legend.
However, before we all start imagining underwater palaces and lost civilizations, it’s worth noting that there was found no evidence of ancient inhabitants at the underwater site — at least, not yet.
The islands may have been around during the Eocene period, some 56 to 34 million years ago, long before Plato’s time.
More Exploration to Come
While we might not be ready to declare Los Atlantes the new Atlantis, the discovery is still a big deal.
The team plans to return next year for more exploration and to analyze samples from the mountain.
Who knows what they might find?
For now, the mystery of Atlantis remains unsolved.
But this discovery certainly adds some intriguing fuel to the fire.
Whether it’s the mythical lost city or just a really cool underwater mountain, Los Atlantes has captured our imagination and reminded us that there’s still so much of our planet left to explore.
