Sep 13 2024
Africa is breaking up: New oceans and mountains in the making
Tue 13 Aug 2024
Africa is undergoing a major geological transformation, and it’s something straight out of a science fiction story! Scientists have discovered that the continent is slowly breaking up and splitting into two parts, and a new ocean is beginning to form.
But that’s not all. Scientists say that the break-away land would drift towards India creating a range of mountain on the west coast of India. Which means that places like Mumbai and Goa would not be on see level but rather be hundreds of feet on ice capped mountain which temperatures falling below 0.
According to research published in Geophysical Research Letters, Africa is “rifting” or breaking apart. The process involves two major sections of the continent pulling away from each other. Over time, this could result in the creation of a brand-new ocean.
Imagine Africa slowly splitting like a giant puzzle. The rift is primarily happening in the East African Rift System, which stretches from the Afar Triangle in the northeast down to Mozambique in the south. This area is where the continent’s crust is stretching and thinning, creating a gap. As this gap widens, it could eventually be filled with ocean water, leading to the formation of a new ocean.
The idea might sound like something from a movie, but it’s a real and ongoing process. The splitting of continents is a part of the Earth’s dynamic geology. It takes millions of years, so don’t expect to see a new ocean on a map anytime soon. But this gradual shift will significantly change the geography of Africa in the distant future.
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So, next time you look at a world map, remember that Africa is on the move towards India, and a new ocean and mountain range might just be on the horizon! This fascinating process reminds us how alive and ever-changing our planet truly is.
