A hidden force beneath the Atlantic ripped open a 500 kilometer canyon
Science Daily
February 23, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Deep beneath the Atlantic Ocean lies an extraordinary underwater canyon system known as the King's Trough Complex, stretching over 500 kilometers off the coast of Portugal. Unlike the Grand Canyon, which was carved by rivers, this massive geological feature was shaped by powerful tectonic forces. Researchers from GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel have uncovered new insights into its formation, revealing how shifting tectonic plates and deep mantle activity contributed to its creation.
The King's Trough Complex is a series of parallel trenches and basins, with Peake Deep marking one of the deepest points in the Atlantic. The study, published in Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, found that between 37 and 24 million years ago, a plate boundary separating Europe and Africa moved through this region, pulling apart the oceanic crust and fracturing it like a zipper. This process was facilitated by an unusually thick and heated crust caused by a mantle plume—a steady column of molten rock rising from Earth's interior. This condition made the area mechanically weaker, allowing the plate boundary to shift there preferentially.
The research team used high-resolution sonar mapping and volcanic rock samples retrieved during a 2020 expedition aboard the METEOR to support their findings. Their analysis revealed that the King's Trough Complex was formed as the tectonic plates shifted, creating a unique geological landscape. This study also highlights the role of deep mantle processes in shaping the Atlantic seafloor and influencing where major fractures and rifts develop.
Understanding these underwater formations is crucial for advancing our knowledge of geodynamic processes and the history of the Atlantic Ocean. The findings provide valuable insights into how tectonic activity and mantle movements interact to create such massive geological features. Similar processes may still be active today, as evidenced by ongoing rift formation near the Azores, where a comparable trench system called the Terceira Rift is currently forming.
This research not only deepens our understanding of Earth's internal dynamics but also underscores the importance of studying underwater geology for broader scientific inquiry. The King's Trough Complex serves as a compelling example of how powerful tectonic forces can shape the ocean floor, leaving behind remarkable geological structures that continue to inspire scientific exploration and discovery.
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Originally published on Science Daily on 2/23/2026