Evidence of Lost Island Atlantis Found in Straits of Gibraltar

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the hypothesis that Spartel Island, currently submerged in the Straits of Gibraltar, may have inspired the legend of Atlantis as recounted by Plato. Participants explore the implications of recent geological findings regarding the island's historical elevation and potential catastrophic events that could have led to its submersion.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that Spartel Island could have been above water and may have inspired the Atlantis legend, referencing a seafloor survey published in Geology.
  • One participant notes that global sea levels were approximately 70m lower about 12,000 years ago, raising the possibility that the island could have been above water at that time.
  • Another participant expresses uncertainty about the topic and admits to lacking sufficient knowledge to form an opinion.
  • One participant speculates that the island could have been affected by a tsunami and subsidence, contributing to its current submerged state.
  • A participant shares a link for additional information on Atlantis, indicating interest in further exploration of the topic.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus; there are multiple competing views regarding the plausibility of Spartel Island being linked to the Atlantis legend and the geological events that may have affected it.

Contextual Notes

Some claims rely on assumptions about historical sea levels and geological events, and there are limitations due to the lack of access to the full article discussed.

Ivan Seeking
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Spartel Island now lies 60m under the sea in the Straits of Gibraltar, but some think it once lay above water.

The finding adds weight to a hypothesis that the island could have inspired the legend recounted by the philosopher Plato more than 2,000 years ago.

Evidence comes from a seafloor survey published in the journal Geology. [continued]
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4153008.stm
 
Science news on Phys.org
I heard about that last night on Coast to Coast. What do you think? Does it seem plausable?
 
I have no idea. I don't really know enough about this subject to have an opinion.
 
Spartel Island now lies 60m under the sea in the Straits of Gibraltar, but some think it once lay above water.

about 12,000 years ago, global sea levels seem to have been 70m lower than today (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Post-Glacial_Sea_Level.png), so if the 'island' is now 60m below the surface its plausible that it could have been devestated by a tsunami and subsidence at that time. Unfortunately I can't view the full article without paying, so I can't comment further.
 
http://www.beepworld.de/members62/rwk_atlantis/

A little more atlantis.
 

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