This Continent Is Splitting and Might Create a New Ocean on Earth

Yahoo! News - May 14th, 2025

A significant geological transformation is underway in eastern Africa, where tectonic plate movements could lead to the creation of a new ocean over the next million to 20 million years. The countries of Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Eritrea are slowly drifting apart from the main African continent, potentially separating to form a new landmass with water from the Indian Ocean filling the gap. This phenomenon is part of the East African Rift System, where plates are moving apart at a rate of 0.3 inches per year, a process driven by magma activity beneath the Earth's surface. This development was first indicated by a large fissure that appeared in Ethiopia in 2005.

The potential formation of a new ocean in eastern Africa is significant for future geological and climate patterns in the region. The emergence of a new ocean would alter coastlines, create new ecosystems, and influence weather patterns in northeast Africa. The tectonic activity in this area mirrors past events that led to the creation of the Saudi Arabian peninsula, suggesting a high likelihood of this transformation. The changes could also impact human populations and biodiversity over time. The last ocean to be identified was the Southern Ocean around Antarctica in 2021, illustrating the rarity and significance of such events. This ongoing geological activity underscores the dynamic and ever-changing nature of Earth's surface.

Climate Change Ethiopia Geology Eritrea Djibouti Eastern Africa East African Rift System Tectonic Plates New Ocean Formation Geographical Transformation

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.8

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides an intriguing look at the potential geological changes in Africa due to tectonic activity, with a focus on the formation of a new ocean. It excels in clarity and factual accuracy, effectively communicating complex scientific concepts in an accessible manner. However, it falls short in source quality and transparency, lacking diverse expert opinions and detailed methodological explanations. The article could benefit from a more balanced perspective by including socio-economic and environmental implications for the affected regions. While the topic is timely and of public interest, its potential impact on public opinion or policy is limited due to the long-term nature of the predicted changes. Overall, the article is a well-written piece that could be enhanced by greater depth and diversity of sources and perspectives.

Accuracy

The story accurately describes the geological processes occurring in the East African Rift System, supported by scientific research. The claim that Africa is splitting and could form a new ocean is consistent with current geological understanding. The timeframe of one million to twenty million years is also plausible, though inherently uncertain due to the nature of geological predictions. The mention of specific countries like Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Eritrea aligns with the geographical reality of the rift's location. However, the story could benefit from more explicit citation of scientific studies or expert opinions to bolster its claims further.

Balance

The article presents a singular perspective focused on the geological changes in Africa without exploring differing viewpoints or potential counterarguments. While it provides a comprehensive overview of the tectonic activity, it lacks discussion on the socio-economic or environmental implications for the affected regions. Including perspectives from local communities or policymakers could have enriched the narrative and provided a more balanced view of the potential impacts of these geological changes.

Clarity

The article is well-written with clear language and a logical flow. It effectively explains complex geological processes in an accessible manner, making it understandable to a general audience. The use of specific examples, such as the 2005 fissure in Ethiopia, helps illustrate the ongoing tectonic activity. However, the inclusion of more detailed explanations of technical terms could further enhance clarity for readers unfamiliar with geological concepts.

Source quality

The article references the London Geographical Society, which is a credible source for geological information. However, it lacks a diversity of sources and direct quotes from geologists or experts in tectonics. Including additional authoritative sources or recent studies would enhance the credibility and depth of the reporting. The reliance on a single organization's perspective limits the breadth of information presented.

Transparency

The article does not provide detailed information on the methodology or sources used to support its claims, which affects its transparency. While it mentions the London Geographical Society, it does not clarify how the information was gathered or the basis for the predictions made about the new ocean. Greater transparency regarding the data and expert consultations would improve the article's reliability and trustworthiness.