Africa, the continent is splitting in half when will happen
Africa.
This continent is slowly but surely tearing in two. Like anything in geology, it’s an extremely long process. The colossal breakup is associated with the East African Rift System.
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One of the largest rifts in the world that stretches downward for thousands of kilometers through several countries in Africa. Africa is located on the African tectonic plate, which is surrounded by other plates, including the Eurasian, Arabian, and Somali plates.
These plates are in constant motion due to the process of plate tectonics, which can lead to various geological phenomena such as earthquakes, volcanic activity, and the formation of rift valleys.
Africa, in the future.
One well-known rift system in Africa is the East African Rift, which stretches over 3,000 kilometers from the Afar Triangle in Ethiopia to Mozambique.
This rift is characterized by active volcanoes, deep valleys, and the splitting of the Earth’s crust. However, it’s important to note that this rift is not causing the entire African continent to split in half.
While the East African Rift is an example of continental rifting, which is the initial stage of a potential future separation of a continent, it does not necessarily mean that the African continent will split in the near future.
The geological processes associated with the breakup of continents are complex and can take millions of years to complete.
Africa, tectonic plate.
Tectonic plate shifts in Ethiopia show that the African continent is splitting in two – paving the way for Earth’s sixth ocean to emerge, according to researchers.
The shift between tectonic plates has been ongoing since the East African Rift – a 35-mile-long crack in Ethiopia’s desert – emerged in 2005. The separation of the Somalian tectonic plate and the larger Nubian tectonic plate will effectively split the world’s second-largest continent in two.
Phenomenon that hasn’t been observed in hundreds of millions of years when South America and Africa were divided into different continents.
The findings are based on a 2004 study on the separation of the Somalian tectonic plate and the larger Nubian tectonic plate.
The study, which was published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Earth and Planetary Science Letters, found that the plates separate a few millimeters per year.
Currently-landlocked countries in Africa, such as Ethiopia, Uganda and more will see the introduction of a coastline – expanding possibilities for trade and production. Further, the split would lead to the emergence of a new ocean.
“The Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea will flood in over the Afar region and into the East African Rift Valley and become a new ocean, and that part of East Africa will become its own separate small continent.
Africa, in the future.
While the splitting of the African continent and the subsequent ocean that would arise holds an abundance of possibilities, the continent will not completely split for another 5 to 10 million years, according to researchers.
Just think of the split-up that the Earth saw around 138 million years ago when South America and Africa divided. If you look at the west coast of Africa and the east coast of South America, you’ll notice they fit together like two jigsaw pieces, beautifully highlighting how these continents were once joined as one.
Almost a joke…
I’m sure Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda are thrilled to hear that they will be getting some new economic opportunities in 5 to 10 million years.
All The Best!
