Africa's slow split: A new ocean in the making
Under our feet, processes are occurring that could reshape the world map in the long run. Africa, although it seems like a uniform landmass, is gradually splitting into two parts. This change is the result of tectonic plate movements, which have become increasingly noticeable in recent decades.
The first sign of the impending split was a series of earthquakes in 2005 that led to the formation of a gigantic, 35-mile fissure in the desert of Ethiopia.
As reported by The Guardian, further signs of this phenomenon appeared in 2018 in Kenya, where the ground suddenly split open, leaving long and deep cracks.
Why is Africa cracking?
This process is related to the movement of tectonic plates that constantly affect the Earth's surface. In the case of Africa, two fragments of the lithosphere are slowly separating—the Nubian plate and the Somali plate. It is along their boundary, the Great Rift Valley, where changes can be observed, which will eventually lead to the formation of a new ocean.
According to livescience.com, this area covers several countries, including Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique. Although plate movements are slow—about 0.3 inches per year—researchers believe the process could proceed faster than previously assumed.
A new ocean in millions of years
Until now, scientists predicted that the complete separation of East Africa from the rest of the continent would occur in tens of millions of years. However, recent analyses suggest it could happen much sooner—within one to five million years.
In the human life scale, you won't be seeing many changes. You'll be feeling earthquakes, you'll be seeing volcanoes erupt, but you won't see the ocean intrude in our lifetimes, said Professor Ken Macdonald from the University of California, Santa Barbara, in an interview with the "Daily Mail".
However, the effects of this process are already visible—the region experiences frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, affecting the lives of its inhabitants.
The impact of geological changes on Africa's future
The breakup of Africa is not just a scientific curiosity—in the long term, it could have a huge impact on the economy, climate, and politics of the region.
This transformation could affect biodiversity, water resources and agricultural practices, posing both challenges and opportunities for the inhabitants of East Africa, reports The Week.
As reported by livescience.com, over time, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, and part of Ethiopia will form a new continent, separated from the rest of Africa by a new ocean. This could change the geopolitical layout—countries like Uganda and Zambia, which currently have no access to the sea, will gain new transportation routes, influencing trade and infrastructure development.
Professor Sarah Stamps from the Department of Geoscience emphasized that the fastest progress of the crack occurs in the north of the continent, meaning that the new ocean will appear there first.
A history repeating itself
Although this seems like a distant future, this process fits into a much broader geological cycle that has lasted for billions of years. In the past, the Earth has undergone similar changes multiple times—supercontinents like Pangaea broke apart and formed new land formations.
Will humanity survive long enough to see Africa finally split into two parts? Only the future can tell. One thing is certain—the changes, although slow, are inevitable, and their effects will be felt in many ways.
