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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThe African continent is very slowly peeling apart. Scientists say a new ocean is being born.
In one of the hottest places on Earth, along an arid stretch of East Africas Afar region, its possible to stand on the exact spot where, deep underground, the continent is splitting apart.
This desolate expanse sits atop the juncture of three tectonic plates that are very slowly peeling away from each other, a complex geological process that scientists say will eventually cleave Africa in two and create a new ocean basin millions of years from now. For now, Today, the most obvious evidence is a 35-mile-long crack in the Ethiopian desert.
The African continents tectonic fate has been studied for several decades, but new satellite measurements are helping scientists better understand the transition and are offering valuable tools to study the gradual birth of a new ocean in one of the most geologically unique spots on the planet.
This is the only place on Earth where you can study how continental rift becomes an oceanic rift, said Christopher Moore, a Ph.D. doctoral student at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom, who has been using satellite radar to monitor volcanic activity in East Africa that is associated with the continents breakup.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/the-african-continent-is-very-slowly-peeling-apart-scientists-say-a-new-ocean-is-being-born/ar-BB16Q5tI?ocid=NL_ENUS_D1_20200717_7_3
Bernardo de La Paz
(49,001 posts)gladium et scutum
(806 posts)Homo sapiens will be long gone before this happens
Bernardo de La Paz
(49,001 posts)I know the geologic time involved is greater than the species duration of Hominids so far, but those behaviours are deeply rooted, it seems. But almost entirely rooted in attitudes passed down from parent to child.
Amishman
(5,557 posts)or at least evolved into something unrecognizable as the same species.
BumRushDaShow
(128,905 posts)on the 50,000 posts!
That whole part of the continent has revealed so many prehistoric artifacts as the rift valley continues to morph and expose the past. And that most recent crack might offer some interesting research opportunities.
Bernardo de La Paz
(49,001 posts)ProfessorGAC
(65,010 posts)Geez, I better start taking vitamins, or I won't see it!
Amishman
(5,557 posts)ProfessorGAC
(65,010 posts)Got me laughing!!!