Scientists have revealed that the ongoing movement of tectonic plates is leading to the formation of a new ocean, which could become the world’s sixth. This geophysical process is unfolding as two major land masses in Africa slowly drift apart. Over time, this separation could result in the continent splitting into two parts, potentially offering landlocked nations like Zambia and Uganda access to coastlines for the first time in history.
The Earth’s outer layer, or lithosphere, is made up of several tectonic plates that are in constant motion. Thanks to advances in GPS and other tracking technologies, scientists are able to precisely monitor these movements. In a recent study published in Geophysical Research Letters, researchers confirmed that a new ocean is gradually emerging as a result of the ongoing fracturing of the African continent. This rift is located at the intersection of the African, Arabian, and Somali tectonic plates.
For the past 30 million years, the Arabian plate has been slowly drifting away from the African plate, while the Somali plate has been pulling away from Africa as well. This motion is causing the East African Plate to stretch and crack further. Ken Macdonald, a marine geophysicist and professor at the University of California, explained that the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea will eventually flood the Afar region and the East African Rift Valley, ultimately forming a new ocean. This process will also create a distinct, small continent in East Africa.
Despite the fascinating implications, experts stress that the formation of this sixth ocean will take millions of years. It is unlikely that future generations will see ships navigating the waters of this new body of water. The East African Rift, a fault line stretching over 3,500 kilometers (2,174 miles) from the Red Sea to Mozambique, is a vast network of geological activity, including rifts, volcanic eruptions, and seismic shifts. This region has been shaping the African landscape for millions of years, giving rise to iconic geological features such as Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya. The formation of the rift began around 25 million years ago, and the geological effects continue to shape the continent today.
As the tectonic plates continue to drift apart, the transformation of this region will be an ongoing, slow process that unfolds over millennia. While this emerging ocean is a natural wonder, it also highlights the dynamic and ever-changing nature of Earth’s geology. Scientists continue to study this phenomenon, as it offers valuable insights into the processes that shape our planet’s surface.
