News Excerpt:

Nestled within the Horn of Africa lies the Afar Triangle, a geological hotspot where the divergence of the Nubian, Somali, and Arabian plates sets the stage for monumental tectonic shifts.

• This area is part of the East African Rift system, which extends from the Afar region down through eastern Africa.

Background

• Since 2005, when a 35-mile-long rift cracked open the Ethiopian desert, global attention has turned to the slow but steady separation of the African continent. 
• This rift shows that immense forces are already at play beneath the Earth's surface as tectonic plates gradually drift apart.

Rare phenomenon

• Amidst the vast expanse of Earth's oceans, geologists have ignited discussions of a potential sixth ocean emerging from the depths of Africa. 
  • The African continent, with its intricate geological makeup, is currently at the forefront of a rare phenomenon that could reshape our planet's geography.

• Reports citing geologists speculated that within the next 5 to 10 million years, Africa could be cleaved in two. 
• This could further give rise to a new ocean basin. 
• This transformation would see the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden inundating the Afar region. 
• This could lead to the birth of a distinct continent in East Africa.
• This process is unfolding in the Afar Triangle, also known as the Afar Depression, located in the Horn of Africa.

The formation of a new ocean

• The formation of a new ocean typically occurs through the process of plate tectonics. 

• • Earth's outer shell is divided into several large, rigid plates that float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere beneath them. These plates are in constant motion, driven by the heat generated from Earth's interior.

• When two tectonic plates move away from each other, they create a gap or rift between them. 

• As the plates move apart, magma from the mantle rises to fill the gap. This magma cools and solidifies to form a new crust along the boundary. 
• As more magma rises and solidifies, the oceanic crust continues to expand outward from the mid-ocean ridge. 
• This expansion pushes the existing oceanic crust away from the ridge. 
• As the process of seafloor spreading continues, the gap between the diverging plates widens, eventually forming a new ocean basin.
• The formation of a new ocean basin is a continuous process that can take millions of years.

Impact of formation of a sixth distinct region:

• The formation of a sixth distinct region could entail changes in the planet's geography.
• According to geologists, the African continent, with its rich and diverse landscapes, is currently experiencing a rare geological phenomenon that could lead to the formation of a new ocean.
• The potential formation of a sixth ocean in Africa is not only a subject of scientific inquiry but also a reminder of the Earth’s ever-changing nature. 
• It highlights the importance of understanding our planet’s geological processes, as they have profound implications for the future configuration of continents and oceans.