Searching for the “Lost City”: Exploring Carbon Plumes at the Bottom of the Atlantic Ocean

Twenty-four years ago, researchers discovered a remarkable area at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean known as the “Lost City,” featuring vast columns of carbon. The astonishing site is capable of supporting life even in the absence of oxygen, and recent studies suggest it could reveal insights into the origins of life on Earth.

The “Lost City” is the only formation of its kind identified so far. The carbon plumes result from reactions between the rising mantle and seawater, releasing hydrogen, methane and other gases into the ocean. This complex chemistry allows a variety of crustaceans and snails, as well as some crabs to survive in smaller quantities.

The Lost City: The Cradle of Life at the Bottom of the Ocean

New research, published last Thursday (8) in the journal Science, has revealed new details about this strange ecosystem. A team of 30 people has made the largest collection of materials ever made at these depths, providing a unique view of the rock formations in the “lost city.”

For mission member Fraser Klein, the study represents a significant milestone. “We now have a treasure trove of rocks that will allow us to systematically study processes that we believe are crucial to the emergence of life on the planet,” he said.

Why is The Lost City so special?

The area is characterized by volcanic fissures and hot springs that expel minerals and form impressive carbonate columns. These geomorphological structures are believed to have fueled geochemical reactions billions of years ago, which may have led to the emergence of life.

How do cruises work in the “Lost City”?

The latest collection includes a rock cylinder, or core, from a depth of 1,268 meters, a record depth. To Dr. Lissenberg, the ease with which the samples were extracted was surprising. “They tend to break easily,” he told the New York Times, “but we were thrilled to see core after core emerge.”

Similar formations on other planets?

One of the most intriguing things about these formations is the possibility of life on other planets. Microbiologist William Brazelton suggests that similar ecosystems could exist on places like Enceladus and Europa, the moons of Saturn and Jupiter.

Future progress in deep research

The nearly continuous recovery of rock samples provides a unique opportunity to conduct a detailed inventory of the upper mantle. This type of research opens the door to many discoveries about Earth and other celestial bodies, Klein says.

Main search results:

• The largest collection of materials ever made at great depth.
• 1,268 m of core samples.
• Geochemical reactions as a possible origin of life.
• Similar ecosystems may exist on other planets.

The “Lost City” continues to fascinate scientists and the curious, providing an endless source of discovery for our planet and beyond. Expeditions continue to bring us closer to answers about the origins of life and the search for extraterrestrial ecosystems.