Discovering the Deep: Scientists Unearth ‘Lost City’ Beneath the Atlantic Ocean.

New Delhi: Beneath the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean lies an enchanting discovery – the “Lost City Hydrothermal Field,” a surreal environment featuring towering structures and a flourishing ecosystem. Situated near the summit of an underwater mountain west of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, this hydrothermal field, revealed in 2000, boasts unique features, including creamy carbonate towers that reach staggering heights of up to 60 meters (nearly 200 feet).

Distinguishing itself from any other known venting environment on Earth, the Lost City has maintained its existence for at least 120,000 years, if not longer. These structures, emerging from depths exceeding 700 meters (2,300 feet), result from a fascinating geological phenomenon where the rising mantle reacts with seawater, releasing hydrogen, methane, and other gases into the ocean.

What sets the Lost City apart is the presence of hydrocarbons, crucial life-building elements, generated not through atmospheric carbon dioxide or sunlight but via chemical reactions on the deep seafloor. This unique characteristic raises the intriguing prospect that life might have originated in a habitat akin to the Lost City, not only on Earth but potentially on other celestial bodies.

Microbiologist William Brazelton suggests, “This is an example of a type of ecosystem that could be active on Enceladus or Europa right this second, and maybe Mars in the past.” The Lost City’s ecosystem, in contrast to other hydrothermal fields like black smokers, doesn’t rely on magma’s heat.

Despite its extraordinary nature, the Lost City confronts an uncertain future. In 2018, Poland secured mining rights for the deep-sea region surrounding the Lost City, posing a potential threat to this unique habitat. Even if mining activities don’t directly impact the hydrothermal field, unintended consequences like plumes or discharges could harm the surrounding ecosystem.

As concerns mount for the Lost City’s preservation, there’s a growing chorus advocating for its designation as a World Heritage site to shield this natural marvel from potential exploitation. The delicate equilibrium of this extraordinary ecosystem, enduring for tens of thousands of years, teeters on the brink as humanity grapples with the responsibility of safeguarding Earth’s hidden wonders.