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

African continent is splitting apart: a new sea is forming in the east that will change the world map

What is happening?

The East African Rift System is a colossal crack extending more than 6,000 kilometers, stretching from the Red Sea to the coast of Mozambique. In this region, there is an active divergence of three tectonic plates — African, Somalian, and Arabian. The geological process that began 25 million years ago continues today, literally tearing the continent apart.

How quickly is this happening?

The tectonic plates are moving apart slowly — at a rate of a few millimeters to a centimeter per year. However, the consequences of this movement are truly grandiose. Specialists predict that in the distant future, a full-fledged ocean will form here, similar to how the Atlantic was once formed.

Where will it all begin?

The epicenter of transformation is considered to be the Afar region, located near the Red Sea. Gradually, the rift will advance toward the territories of Kenya and Tanzania. As a result of these processes, the "Horn of Africa," which includes Somalia, Ethiopia, and part of Kenya, may turn into an island, completely separated from the main continent by water.

Why is this important?

Geological changes of this scale will affect not only the natural landscape but also the region's economy, ecological situation, and global trade routes. The strategic position of the Horn of Africa near key maritime arteries — the Red Sea and the Suez Canal — gives these processes special significance.

Is the process accelerating?

Observations show that yes. In 2005, a dramatic event occurred in Ethiopia — a 60-kilometer-long rift formed in just minutes. This case forced the scientific community to reconsider their estimates: geological transformations may be occurring much faster than previously thought.

Conclusion:

Modern humanity has become a witness to a unique geological phenomenon — the birth of a new ocean in real time. A process that previously could only be studied in geology textbooks is now unfolding right before our eyes, demonstrating the continuous evolution of our planet.