Researchers Discover Sunken Islands Off Canary Islands, Potential Link to Atlantis Legend

In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers in Spain have identified lost islands that sank into the ocean millions of years ago, some of which still retain their beach formations. Luis Somoza, the lead geologist from the Geological and Mining Institute of Spain, suggested that these findings could be connected to the legendary Atlantis, as they were located on a seamount featuring three inactive volcanoes approximately 31 miles in diameter, lying about 1.4 miles beneath the ocean's surface. The newly named Mount Los Atlantes was uncovered during an exploration of the seabed off Lanzarote, the easternmost Canary Island. Using a remotely operated vehicle, scientists surveyed depths ranging from 330 to 8,200 feet. Somoza noted that these islands existed during the Eocene epoch, between 56 and 34 million years ago, before volcanic activity ceased, leading to the islands' gradual sinking into the ocean. Despite their submersion, remnants of the islands remain visible, including beaches, cliffs, and sand dunes at the seamount's flat summit. Some of these features are located just 200 feet below the ocean's surface, indicating their relatively recent geological history. During the last ice age, when sea levels were significantly lower, these volcanoes would have re-emerged as islands. The research team plans to analyze samples from Los Atlantes to determine the age of the volcanic rocks and establish a timeline for when the islands began their descent into the ocean, further unraveling the mysteries of this ancient underwater landscape.