Africa Slowly Splitting Apart: Scientists Warn a New Ocean Could Form in Millions of Years

Scientists have warned that Africa is gradually breaking apart along the East African Rift (EAR), a massive geological fault that could eventually form a new ocean. The process is extremely slow, with the Somalian Plate slowly separating from the larger Nubian Plate at just a few millimeters per year, but its long-term effects could dramatically reshape the continent.

The rift system forms a Y-shaped structure in the Afar region of Ethiopia, known as the "Triple Junction," where the Ethiopian Rift, Red Sea Rift, and Gulf of Aden Rift converge. This unique area allows scientists to study tectonic activity and the early stages of ocean formation in real time, providing insight into the Earth’s dynamic crust.

The East African Rift began approximately 25 million years ago during the Miocene and stretches over 2,174 miles from the Red Sea to Mozambique. Its eastern branch runs through Ethiopia and Kenya, while the western branch curves from Uganda to Malawi, gradually weakening the continental crust along its path.

Also Read: Scientists Discover Alien-Like Ecosystem Thriving Deep Beneath Arctic Ocean’s Frozen Surface

Geologists explain that parts of the Afar region’s crust are already thin and below sea level, particularly near the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. As the land continues to sink, seawater may eventually flood the rift, slowly creating a new ocean between the diverging plates. Scientists predict this will likely begin in the northern section, where tectonic separation is faster.

The separation rate averages about 0.28 inches per year, but even at this pace, the slow movement can increase the frequency of earthquakes and volcanic activity in the region. Geophysicists attribute this process to a mantle plume beneath the Afar region, which generates heat that weakens the upper crust, accelerating the gradual splitting of the continent.

This tectonic activity highlights the dynamic nature of Earth’s crust, which is divided into 15 to 20 plates floating on molten magma. While the formation of a new ocean will take millions of years, scientists stress that the ongoing changes could have significant implications for human settlements and ecosystems across East Africa.

Also Read: Microsoft 365 Down for Thousands as North America Services Face Disruption