First off, let’s be clear -we are not talking about some lost Atlantis-like civilization here. We are not even talking about a human-made civilization or the remnants of ancient buildings. This “lost city” is entirely made by nature, yet is still just as intriguing as if it were some ancient archeological discovery. Here, 700 meters below the Atlantic Ocean’s surface, lies a 120,000-year-old rocky hydrothermal field. It is said to be the longest-living venting environment in the entire ocean, featuring ancient walls and chimneys releasing 104 Fahrenheit gases into the sea.
The Lost City Is A Rare Find
Yet, despite such a harsh environment, this ancient lost city is home to an array of marine life, such as various crustaceans, marine snails, and microbial communities. These creatures feed off the vents, which constantly release gasses such as methane and hydrogen. Scientists believe that hydrothermal fields such as this one most likely exist elsewhere, yet the “lost city” is the only one that they have been able to navigate thus far using remotely operated equipment.
The incredible thing about this finding is how much it can reveal about our own past and even life on other planets. As William Brazelton, a microbiologist, once said in an interview with The Smithsonian, “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.” Therefore, this area has been regarded as vital for study, and there have been many calls for it to be protected. Yet, despite these calls, Poland was given the go-ahead to explore 10,000 sq km of the area for mining in 2018.
Risk Of Destruction Of the Lost City
This puts the lost city at considerable risk of potential destruction. The scientist who led this discovery, Dr Gretchen Fruh-Green, stated that “We could destroy this place before we’ve understood it – before we can really appreciate the significance of these unique white towers and these very strange fluids that are coming out of the ocean floor. The significance of that for understanding the origin of life, for understanding processes in early Earth.”
The lost city reflects the history of our planet, and if it is destroyed, we have no idea how long it will take to recover. We also have no idea what impact its destruction would have on the chemistry of the ocean. Additionally, the lost city’s alkaline hydrothermal vents differ significantly from the high-temperature black smokers more commonly known to researchers. The black smokers rely heavily on volcanic activity, while the vents at the Lost City are driven by a chemical reaction between the seawater and mantle rock.
This provides a unique set of conditions that many scientists believe reflect the chemistry of our early planet, providing clues as to how life may have begun in the absence of sunshine and oxygen. Conservationists and scientists alike are asking the international community to act fast before irreversible damage to the lost city occurs. Without protection, economic interests may once again outweigh scientific preservation – a far too familiar story when it comes to environmental protection.
