Member-only story
Scientists Discover Ancient Lake Under Lake
Scientists have discovered an enormous ancient lake underneath a modern lake and are probing its depths for clues about its history.
The lake, estimated to be 8,000 years old, was found under Lake Monmouth in western Ontario, Canada. The lake is located about ten feet below the surface of Lake Monmouth. The lake is remarkably well preserved and still entirely full of water.
“This ancient lake has been hidden under Lake Monmouth for many centuries,” said Prof. James Herlihy of Ontario University. “It is only now giving up its secrets.”
Herlihy theorizes that many years after the ancient lake was created, water covered it, creating the modern lake. The modern lake’s water helped to preserve the ancient lake.
By sending diving teams under the modern lake, scientists from Ontario University were able to detect water, which indicated the presence of an ancient lake. They brought samples to the surface to confirm that it was a lake.
Herlihy believes there may be more lakes under the one his team discovered, but confirming their existence will require additional dives.
