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In 2005, a gigantic, 35-mile-long rift broke open the desert ground in Ethiopia. At the time, some geologists believed the rift was the beginning of a new ocean as two parts of the African continent pulled apart, but the claim was controversial.
Now, scientists from several countries have confirmed that the volcanic processes at work beneath the Ethiopian rift are nearly identical to those at the bottom of the world's oceans, and the rift is indeed likely the beginning of a new sea.
The new study, published in the latest issue of Geophysical Research Letters, suggests that the highly active volcanic boundaries along the edges of tectonic ocean plates may suddenly break apart in large sections, instead of little by little as has been predominantly believed. In addition, such sudden large-scale events on land pose a much more serious hazard to populations living near the rift than would several smaller events, says Cindy Ebinger, professor of earth and environmental sciences at the University of Rochester and co-author of the study.
A BGS team are mapping the geology of the Afar desert in northern Ethiopia — reputed to be the hottest place on Earth.
Afar is part of the volcanically and seismically active portion of the African Rift and is one of the few places on Earth where we can witness plate divergence as the continental crust splits apart to form a new ocean.
The Afar Rift project aims to track the creation of magma (molten rock) from deep within the Earth, studying how it migrates and evolves as it rises towards the surface. We will study how the surface of the Earth reacts as it is thinned and split apart and how the magma is intruded into this thin crust to form the beginnings of a new ocean.
Afar Rift Consortium
Originally posted by groingrinder
I am a big Geology fan and I find that very interesting. I am anxious to see if it will reveal any ancient cities or technology that has been hidden from us.
Originally posted by thecrow001
i love these threads i should tell people more.
amazing at what we could be seeing here. Bring on the new knowleadge which will appear.
Originally posted by thecrow001
i know i hate it when things like this happen, if this does turn out to be a ocean i say lets put some pots and treasures for people of the future to discover
even though i know its a stupid idea
Originally posted by grey580
If a new ocean forms.. does that means that ocean levels will lower?
A rift the size of the width of africa is alot of water even it if is skinny.
what happens then?
Originally posted by grey580
If a new ocean forms.. does that means that ocean levels will lower?
A rift the size of the width of africa is alot of water even it if is skinny.
what happens then?
Originally posted by Maddogkull
Just putting it out there, could a level 10 earthquake, speed up the process on it turning into a new ocean? Not saying it will happen, just putting it out there.
Originally posted by thecrow001
i dont think it will lower the sea levels with global warming coming just in time
could more oceans be popping up in other places ?
* The Mid-Atlantic Ridge
* Red Sea Rift
* East African Rift
* West Antarctic Rift
* East Pacific Rise
* Pacific-Antarctic Ridge
* Galapagos Rise
* Gakkel Ridge
* Explorer Ridge
or where the water will come from