‘Lost City’ discovered deep beneath the ocean holds incredible structures standing 200 feet tall

If you were under the impression that Atlantis only existed in the world of fiction then think again, as scientists have discovered a 'Lost City' in the ocean depths that will shock you with its gigantic structures.

You'd typically expect to find strange creatures at the bottom of the ocean like these devious mollusks found in the midnight zone, or strange creatures that make terrifying 'clicking' noises, but what if an actual city was found?

The Pacific Ocean is known to be scarily large, and we're constantly reminded that 71% of the Earth's surface is covered by water - with around 80% of the ocean still unexplored.

Is it really that out of the question, then, that we could find strange structures hidden within the ocean's vast depths?

Marine scientists certainly don't think so, as they've managed to discover an incredible 'Lost City' hundreds of meters below the surface of the Atlantic Ocean.

The 'Lost City' has been explored a number of times (Deborah Kelly/University of Washington)

Referred to as the 'Lost City Hydrothermal Field', this area features vast rocky structures that stretch over 200ft in length, making for quite the spectacle.

Initially discovered as part of an expedition on the RV Atlantis in 2000, scientists and researchers have since visited the site numerous times to try to understand its formation and history.

As a hydrothermal vent the area is teeming with microscopic life, but what makes this area unusual is that it's not fueled by volcanic activity and instead remains active through the interaction of seawater and the vast rocky structures.

William Brazelton, a microbiologist at the University of Utah tells the Smithsonian that this Lost City is "the closest thing to a free lunch the universe provides," as the 200ft chimneys release methane, which serves as a source of energy for the various lifeforms.

Not only is it a revelation on Earth but the Lost City also provides a potential picture into life in outer space too.

Brazelton detailed: "This is an example of a type of ecosystem that could be active on Enceladus [a moon orbiting Saturn] or Europa [a moon orbiting Jupiter] right this second."

It remains fascinating then that such a stunning discovery in the depths of the ocean could potentially reflect and allow us to learn more about active life on other planets.

Beehive-like structures have been found in the 'Lost City' (Deborah Kelly/University of Washington)

It remains at risk of destruction though, as sediment plumes and discharges from mining activity have the potential to damage the Lost City, with many pressing for it to be registered as a heritage site.

This is due to a license granted to Poland by the International Seabed Authority (ISA) to explore the mid-Atlantic ridge in search of heavy metals like cobalt, manganese, and gold.

While both the ISA and Poland are obliged to take measures ensuring the safety of the Lost City and areas similar to it, many remain concerned that not enough is being done to ensure that these sites remain safe.