Atlantis massif
The Atlantis massif is an undersea mountain massif located in the Atlantic Ocean at around 30 ° north and 42 ° west. The massif reaches a height of about 3,000 meters above the ocean floor . Its name is derived from the possibility that the peaks of the massif probably towered above the sea surface a few hundred thousand years ago before they sagged about 700 meters below the sea surface (see also the article about the ancient legend about the mythical island kingdom of Atlantis ) .
The massif gained particular fame in 2000 when numerous hydrothermal geological vents were discovered during research diving trips by the deep-sea submarine Alvin (DSV-2) . Alvin's crew, led by researcher Deborah Kelley ( University of Washington , Seattle), saw groups of tall white battlements and columns that looked almost like the remains of a sunken city. These towers , which are up to dozen of meters high, are made of crystallized minerals that are formed when hot spring water meets cold water in the deep sea . This hot spring water has probably been coming out of the Atlantis massif for around 30,000 years. The area was named after the myth of Atlantis Lost City (in German "Lost City").
See also
Web link and source
- Ulf von Rauchhaupt: Thermal springs: 30,000 years under the sea . Article on faz.net, accessed December 7, 2015.
Coordinates: 30 ° 0 ′ N , 42 ° 0 ′ W