It's Finally Happening! Africa Is Splitting Into Two Continents.

Summary

New photographs reveal Africa is splitting into two, leading to the formation of a new ocean and a potential new continent. The East African Rift, a 35-mile long crack, is the epicenter of this geological event. As the Arabian plate drifts away at a rate of one inch per year, it will take millions of years for the split to complete. This will impact landlocked countries, potentially creating new coastlines and economic opportunities, but also raising questions about environmental changes, resource scarcity, and geopolitical implications.

Takeaways

• 🌍 New photographs reveal that parts of Africa are physically splitting apart, leading to the formation of a new ocean and a new continent.
• 🔍 The process, known as rifting, occurs when a single tectonic plate splits into two or more, creating divergent plate boundaries.
• 🌏 The phenomenon dates back at least 138 million years, as evidenced by the fit between the west coast of Africa and the east coast of South America.
• 🏞️ The East African Rift, a 35-mile long crack in Ethiopia's desert, is a significant factor in the future breakup of the continent.
• 🌋 The rift is a result of tectonic activity similar to that occurring at the bottom of the ocean and is expanding through several African countries.
• 📏 The East African Rift Valley extends from the Gulf of Aden to Zimbabwe, dividing the African plate into the Somali and Nubian plates.
• ⏳ The split of Africa into two parts is a slow process, with the Arabian plate moving away at a rate of one inch per year.
• 🌊 The formation of a new ocean is predicted to take between 5 to 10 million years, potentially providing new coastlines for landlocked countries.
• 🏖️ The new coastlines could bring economic opportunities, such as reduced logistical expenses and the development of shipping and fishing industries.
• ⚠️ The geological changes may also lead to environmental challenges, including the displacement of communities and potential extinction of species due to habitat changes.

Q & A

What is the phenomenon responsible for Africa splitting in two?

The phenomenon responsible for Africa splitting in two is called rifting, which occurs when a single tectonic plate rips apart into two or more tectonic plates, separated by divergent plate boundaries.

How far back can the rifting phenomenon be dated?

The rifting phenomenon can be dated at least 138 million years back when South America and Africa were divided into different continents.

What is the East African Rift system and how long is it?

The East African Rift system is a series of 56 kilometers (35 miles) long cracks that emerged in Ethiopia's desert in 2005. It stretches downward for thousands of kilometers through several countries in Africa.

Which tectonic plates are involved in the formation of the East African Rift?

The East African Rift is formed at the border of three tectonic plates: the African, Nubian, African Somali, and Arabian plates.

How fast is the Arabian plate moving away from Africa?

The Arabian plate is moving away from Africa at a rate of one inch per year.

How long will it take for the new ocean to form as a result of the African split?

The new ocean will take at least 5 million to 10 million years to form.

Which countries are expected to gain coastlines as a result of the African split?

Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, and Zambia are expected to gain coastlines.

What are the potential economic benefits for landlocked countries that gain access to the sea?

The potential economic benefits include reduced international logistical expenses, the creation of shipping and fishing industries, and direct connections to the rest of the world through harbors.

What are the environmental consequences of the African split?

The environmental consequences include the displacement of communities, settlements, and various flora and fauna, leading to habitat changes, potential extinction of some species, and environmental degradation.

How might the formation of a new ocean impact the geopolitical landscape of Africa?

The formation of a new ocean could lead to the creation of new nations, merging of old nations, or complete break apart of some countries. It could also affect trade routes and security implications.

What is the potential name for the new ocean that may arise from the African split?

Geologists predict that the new ocean that may arise in another 5 or 10 million years could be named the African Ocean.