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| How a New Ocean is Slowly Forming in East Africa: Scientists Discover Pulsating Mantle Plume Tearing the Continent Apart. |
A groundbreaking geological event is quietly unfolding beneath East Africa — and it could reshape the world's map in the distant future. Scientists from the University of Southampton (UK) and the University of Florence (Italy) have uncovered compelling evidence that the African continent is slowly splitting apart due to deep mantle activity, a process that could eventually create a brand new ocean.
What Exactly is Happening Beneath East Africa?
Deep under the Afar region of Ethiopia, where three tectonic plates meet, scientists have detected a powerful "mantle plume" — a column of superheated molten rock rising from the Earth's interior. This plume isn’t flowing continuously; instead, it pulses in rhythmic surges, much like a heartbeat. These pulses are creating intense pressure within the Earth's crust, causing massive cracks that are slowly tearing the continent apart.
Is Africa Really Splitting into Two?
Yes — slowly, but surely. As these tectonic plates continue to drift apart, the cracks (known as rifts) will eventually widen and sink. Over millions of years, water from the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden is expected to flood into these low-lying areas, forming an entirely new ocean. In other words, East Africa could break away and become a separate landmass.
How Do Scientists Know This is Happening?
The research team analyzed more than 130 volcanic rock samples across the region to understand the composition and structure of the crust and mantle. They also used computer simulations to model the tectonic activity and compared those results with real-world data. What they discovered was striking: one continuous mantle plume feeds all three major rift zones, but its composition varies depending on depth and location.
In areas where the rift spreads more rapidly, such as the Red Sea, the magma pulses are more regular. These rhythmic magma flows leave visible patterns in the rock layers, which helped researchers confirm the presence of this pulsating activity.
Why is This Important?
This discovery isn't just about the distant future of Earth’s geography — it has real implications for today. Understanding how magma flows and how rifts behave helps scientists predict volcanic eruptions and seismic activity. These insights can improve disaster preparedness and potentially save lives in regions prone to tectonic hazards.
So, When Will This New Ocean Form?
Don’t pack your bags just yet. The formation of a new ocean is an incredibly slow process — it will take millions of years before the transformation is complete. However, what makes this discovery so exciting is that we are witnessing the very early stages of an extraordinary geological shift.
The East African Rift is more than just a crack in the ground — it’s a window into Earth’s powerful inner workings. With each pulse of magma, the continent inches closer to a dramatic split, setting the stage for a future ocean that will eventually divide the land. Thanks to cutting-edge research and technology, scientists are now able to trace and understand this process in unprecedented detail.
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