The Atlantic's 'Lost City' Holds Keys to Life on Other Planets, Now at Risk
The 'Lost City,' discovered in 2000 in the Atlantic Ocean, is a unique hydrothermal field over 700 meters deep. It features towering structures that provide insights into the origins of life on Earth and potential extraterrestrial ecosystems. The site, estimated to be around 120,000 years old, releases gases like methane and hydrogen, supporting diverse life forms despite extreme conditions.
Scientists are studying the Lost City to understand how life thrives in environments devoid of sunlight and oxygen, which may inform the search for life on moons like Enceladus and Europa. However, the site faces threats from deep-sea mining activities, particularly after Poland obtained exploitation rights in 2018.
Efforts are underway to declare the Lost City a UNESCO World Heritage site to protect it from potential damage, ensuring continued research into its unique ecosystems and their implications for understanding life in extreme conditions.