A significant geological discovery has been made north of the Canary Islands by researchers from the Geological and Mining Institute of Spain (IGME) and the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC). The newly discovered underwater mountain range, named “Los Atlantes,” consists of three volcanoes and was found through the Atlantis research project aboard the oceanographic vessel Sarmiento de Gamboa.
The three volcanoes that comprise Los Atlantes are located to the east of Lanzarote. Some of these volcanoes may be connected to the historic Timanfaya eruptions, while others are believed to have been islands during the Eocene epoch, approximately 34 to 56 million years ago.
Research and Objectives
The Atlantis project, coordinated by researchers Luis Somoza and Javier González from IGME-CSIC’s Marine Geological Resources and Extreme Environments group, aims to detect signs of submarine magmatic and hydrothermal activity around the Canary archipelago.
This research could help identify future risks for the population and explore environmental processes and the formation of submarine minerals under extreme conditions.
Methodology and Findings
Using an unmanned submarine ROV, the team has been investigating the marine floors around the Canary Islands at depths between 100 and 2,500 metres since June 27th, with the campaign concluding on August 6th. This method allows for detailed exploration and imaging of underwater geological features.
The team’s efforts have also included studying recent volcanoes, such as the lava deltas from the 2021 Tajogaite eruption in La Palma, the Tagoro submarine volcano from the 2011-2012 El Hierro eruption, and the lava deltas from the 1971 Teneguía and 1677 San Antonio eruptions in Fuencaliente, La Palma.
Implications and Future Research
This discovery provides crucial insights into the geological history and ongoing processes within the Canary Islands. The research emphasises the importance of monitoring submarine volcanic activity and could help mitigate the risks of future eruptions, similar to the El Hierro event in 2011-2012. The area around El Hierro has been proposed as the first exclusively marine National Park.
Geologist and project coordinator Luis Somoza highlighted that some of these ancient submerged islands still retain their beaches, resembling the legendary Atlantis. The vibrant marine life flourishing around these underwater lava flows, including new coral gardens, sponges, and bacterial mats near hydrothermal vents, showcases the resilience and regeneration of marine ecosystems following volcanic activity.
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