Africa is cracking at the seams: how a new ocean is forming before our eyes

Africa, which for centuries was considered immovable, is literally cracking at the seams. Its eastern part is experiencing colossal geological changes. Already today, a gigantic rift is forming in the Earth's crust - and in the future, a completely new sea may appear here, capable of changing the map of the world.

What is happening?

The East African Rift System is a huge crack over 6,000 km long, stretching from the Red Sea to Mozambique. Three tectonic plates are diverging here - the African, Somalian, and Arabian. This process has been going on for 25 million years.

How quickly is this happening?

The movement of the plates is slow - from a couple of millimeters to a centimeter per year. But its consequences are massive. Scientists believe that in the future, an ocean will appear here, just as the Atlantic once emerged.

Where will it all begin?

The starting point is the Afar region near the Red Sea. The rift will gradually advance to Kenya and Tanzania. Eventually, the "Horn of Africa" (Somalia, Ethiopia, and part of Kenya) may become an island, separated from the main continent by water.

Why is this important?

These changes are not only natural - they will affect the economy, ecology, and global trade. The Horn of Africa is located near the most important sea routes - the Red Sea and the Suez Canal.

Is the process accelerating?

Yes. In 2005, a 60 km long rift formed in Ethiopia in just a few minutes. This event made scientists think: perhaps changes are happening faster than we thought.

Conclusion:

We live in a unique time: right now, before our eyes, the birth of a new ocean may begin - a phenomenon that humanity has previously only seen in geology textbooks.