Close to the peak of an underwater mountain near the Mid-Atlantic Ridge lies a striking landscape known as the Lost City. Here, towers rise dramatically from the darkness below. Their carbonate walls shimmer a ghostly blue when lit by a remotely operated vehicle.
The Lost City was discovered by scientists in 2000, sitting over 700 meters (2,300 feet) deep. It is the oldest known hydrothermal vent in the ocean, unparalleled in its uniqueness.
For at least 120,000 years, hot gases like hydrogen and methane have bubbled up from the mantle, transforming the area. This environment nurtures microbes that thrive without oxygen. While larger animals like crabs and eels are rare, the vents are home to tiny snails and crustaceans, showcasing life even in extreme conditions.
In 2024, researchers made a groundbreaking find: a 1,268-meter-long core sample from the Lost City. This core may reveal vital clues about how life began on Earth billions of years ago, preserved within its minerals.
Unlike hotter underwater volcanoes called black smokers, which emit iron and sulfur-rich minerals, the Lost City produces up to 100 times more hydrogen and methane. This difference in chemical activity suggests that it has been functioning longer than other known vent systems.
Microbiologist William Brazelton has noted that the Lost City’s ecosystem could exist elsewhere, like on Europa or Enceladus, moons of Jupiter and Saturn, suggesting possibilities for extraterrestrial life.
Yet, this marvel faces threats. In 2018, Poland gained rights to mine near the Lost City, raising concerns about potential damage to its unique habitat. Experts have urged for its designation as a World Heritage site to ensure its protection.
Given its history and the life it harbors, the Lost City stands as a vital testament to resilience. We must act to preserve it before it’s too late.
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