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Ancient, lost world found under Atlantic Ocean
by Jaspreet Virk - July 12, 2011 - comments
On the basis of information generated, researchers have even created a three-dimensional image of the lost terrain below. (Photo Courtesy: Live Science)
Ever thought if there were a lost world submerged in the oceans? Deep below, beneath the sediment of the North Atlantic Ocean, geologists have discovered what they claim is an ancient landscape.
Located 1.2 miles deep to the west of the Orkney-Shetland Islands, the lost terrain measures about 3,861 square miles (10,000 square km).
Nicky White, senior study researcher, stated, “It looks for all the world like a map of a bit of a country onshore.
“It is like an ancient fossil landscape preserved two kilometres beneath the seabed.”
Landscape discovery
Researchers, led by Ross Hartley, a graduate student at the University of Cambridge, stumbled upon the discovery through the data gathered for oil companies by a seismic contracting company.
The proof (through core samples) of pollen and coal beneath the ocean floor indicated that life existed on the landscape. Even the tiny fossils found prove that the lost terrain had a marine environment.
Using advanced echo-sounding technique, geologists released high-pressured air underwater through the metal cylinders.
This in turn produced sound waves that traveled beneath, through the layers of sediments on the ocean floor.
As the waves came across a change in material through which they were traveling, an echo bounced back to the microphones on the ship to record the echoes.
Land-dwelling life evidence
Analyzing the information collected, researchers discovered eight major rivers.
Nearly 56-million-year-old, the landscape has furrows cut by rivers and peaks of the mountains that once existed.
Further, the proof (through core samples) of pollen and coal beneath the ocean floor indicated that life existed on the landscape. Even the tiny fossils found prove that the lost terrain had a marine environment.
This points out that the land rose above the sea and then submerged “like a terrestrial sandwich with marine bread," stated White.
On the basis of information generated, researchers have even created a three-dimensional image of the lost terrain below.
The research has been supported by another similar research led by Heather Poore, a student at Cambridge University.
Heather believes that as similar processes have occurred elsewhere on the planet, many more lost terrains are yet to be found.