A groundbreaking discovery by scientists has revealed that a massive crack tearing through Africa could eventually split the continent in half and give rise to Earth’s sixth ocean. This vast crevice, known as the Eastern African Rift, has been developing for over 22 million years, but recent activity suggests that it is widening at a rate of one inch per year. The rift stretches from Ethiopia to Mozambique, and if it continues to expand, it will transform countries along the southeastern coast into a colossal island, complete with its own brand-new sea.
While the exact mechanism behind the rift was previously unclear, a study published in June shed light on the matter. Researchers found that the rift is fueled by a significant release of molten rock from the Earth’s core. This revelation confirms long-held predictions that Africa will eventually split into two, resulting in the formation of a new continent comprising Somalia and half of Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania.
However, this dramatic event is not expected to occur for another five million years. In the meantime, the Eastern African Rift is likely to give rise to more cracks and deformations. A notable example of this occurred in 2005, when a crack appeared in Ethiopia, and another in Kenya in 2018 following heavy rainfall. These incidents have caused concern among locals who reported feeling the ground shake and witnessed the destruction of homes and roadways.
The overarching cause behind the expansion of the Eastern African Rift stems from the movement of two tectonic plates—the Somali plate in the east and the Nubian plate in the west. Since 2004, when this movement was first observed, it has become evident that the rift is growing from the Gulf of Aden in the north to Zimbabwe in the south. It encompasses a range of geological features, including deep valleys, steep escarpments, and volcanic peaks.
To gain a better understanding of this phenomenon, researchers from Virginia Tech conducted 3D simulations of the region. Their findings confirmed that the African Superplume, a massive column of super-heated rock originating from the Earth’s core, is the driving force behind the rift’s unusual deformations. As the two tectonic plates move apart, the African Superplume generates the necessary force to pull and stretch Earth’s crust, resulting in the formation of the Eastern African Rift.
Despite the excitement surrounding these discoveries, scientists remain unsure about the future of the rift. It is uncertain whether the rift will continue to widen and eventually form a new ocean basin akin to the Red Sea, or if it will stall and mimic the behavior of the Atlantic Ocean before it commenced seafloor spreading. Current projections estimate that a sea roughly the size of the Red Sea may develop within the next 20-30 million years.
In the midst of these scientific debates, one thing remains clear—Africa is a continent alive with geological activity, constantly reshaping and evolving over millions of years. As we uncover the mysteries of our planet’s inner workings, we are reminded of the immense power and dynamic nature of the Earth.
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