Eventually, it will rupture, leading to the formation of a rift valley . This process is accompanied by surface manifestations along the rift valley in the form of volcanism and seismic activity. Rifts are the initial stage of a continental break-up and, if successful, can lead to the formation of a new ocean basin.
How does the Great Rift Valley affect Africa?
This area is part of the Great Rift Valley, where Africa is slowly pushed and pulled apart by uprising material in earth’s mantle . Eventually, the rift will become deep enough to host a new ocean, separating Eastern Africa from the rest of the continent.
What happens when the rift in Africa grows?
When this happens, a new ocean will begin forming by the solidification of magma in the space created by the broken-up plates. Eventually, over a period of tens of millions of years, seafloor spreading will progress along the entire length of the rift.
What will happen to the Great Rift Valley in the future?
The new ocean created by this rift will be a continuation of the Red Sea; the divergent boundary between the African and Arabian plates . Within 10 Ma, the rift will be completely flooded by the encroaching sea and Somali will become an independent plate (Emerick and Duncan, 1982).
What will happen to the East African Rift Valley?
Along the East African Rift Valley, African continent is splitting into two — the Somali plate and the Nubian plate. ... Once the rift splits the continent, the ocean will flood the gap, creating a new continent in the Indian Ocean. In 10 million years, the Somali plate is expected to break off from the main African plate.
Which is the longest rift valley in the world?
| World Rift/Valley Length | Earth Great Rift Valley 6,000 km (3,700 mi) | Canadian Arctic Rift System 4,800 km (3,000 mi) | West Antarctic Rift System | Midcontinent Rift System 2,000 km (1,200 mi) |
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How deep is the Great Rift Valley?
The Great Rift Valley runs north to south for 5000 km, varies in width from 30-100 km, and is between several hundred to several thousand metres deep at any given point.
How long before Africa splits?
It’s thought that Africa’s new ocean will take at least 5 million to 10 million years to form, but the Afar region’s fortuitous location at the boundaries of the Nubian, Somali and Arabian plates makes it a unique laboratory to study elaborate tectonic processes.
Is Africa being split in two?
Scientists say a new ocean will form in Africa as the continent continues to split into two. The East African Rift system made up the western and eastern continental rifts, and stretches from the Afar region of Ethiopia down to Mozambique.
What is the rift in Africa called?
East African Rift System, also called Afro-Arabian Rift Valley , one of the most extensive rifts on Earth’s surface, extending from Jordan in southwestern Asia southward through eastern Africa to Mozambique.
Are there volcanoes in rift valleys?
The most well-known rift valley on Earth is probably the so-called “ Great Rift Valley System ” which stretches from the Middle East in the north to Mozambique in the south. The area is geologically active, and features volcanoes, hot springs, geysers, and frequent earthquakes.
Is Africa on a tectonic plate?
The African Plate is a major tectonic plate straddling the equator as well as the prime meridian. It includes much of the continent of Africa, as well as oceanic crust which lies between the continent and various surrounding ocean ridges.
Is a rift a volcano?
Rift volcanoes form when magma rises into the gap between diverging plates . They thus occur at or near actual plate boundaries. ... Rift volcanoes in continental locations such as the East African Rift System are more complex.
Which countries does the Rift Valley pass through?
| Name of basin Total area of basin Area in the country | Uganda 4 514 | Kenya 102 452 | Southern lakes: 178 800 | Kenya 25 000 |
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Is the Great Rift Valley getting bigger?
Great Rift
(Read more about the social rifts felt in this region.) A rift valley refers to a lowland region where tectonic plates rift, or move apart. ... The rifts are growing larger as two tectonic plates , the Somali plate in the east and the Nubian plate in the west, move away from each other.
Does Africa have volcanoes?
Most African volcanoes result from hotspots, the rifting in East Africa , or a combination of the two. ... Two neighboring volcanoes in Zaire’s (today’s Democratic Republic of the Congo) Virunga National Park, Nyamuragira and Nyiragongo, are responsible for nearly two-fifths of Africa’s historical eruptions.
