The ‘origins of Atlantis’ discovered off the coast of Lanzarote

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The find is so significant that experts are hailing the landmasses as the potential inspiration for one of history’s greatest myths.

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Scientists have christened the newfound seamount “Lost Atlantes” in honour of the fabled civilisation that the gods drowned out as punishment for its immorality.

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And yet, the lost islands have retained some distinctive features despite the passing of millions of years.

“We have identified beaches, cliffs and sand dunes at the flat summit of the seamount,” Somoza explained.

He added that the sand which now covers the volcanic rock would have been deposited as the islands descended into the watery depths of the Atlantic.

, when sea levels were far lower than they are today, the inactive volcanoes would have transformed into islands once more, according to Somoza.

. When sea levels rose as the ice age ended, they sank again.

He and his colleagues now aim to pinpoint exactly when the islands started to sink by analysing samples collected from their volcanic rock.

They are also planning an expedition to the underwater volcanoes next year, during which they hope to uncover further secrets from this ancient site.

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