Afar Depression

Context

   Geologists predict that the African continent’s rift in the Afar Triangle could lead to the formation of a new ocean in 5 to 10 million years.

About

   The Afar Triangle is also known as the Afar Depression, located in the Horn of Africa.

   The Afar Triangle is a geological depression where three tectonic plates—the Nubian, Somali, and Arabian plates— converge.

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

   The rifting process occurring here is a result of the tectonic plates slowly moving apart, a phenomenon that has been taking place for millions of years.

Formation of New Ocean

   In 2005, a 35-mile-long rift opened up in the Ethiopian desert, signaling the ongoing separation of the African continent.

   This rift is the surface expression of deep-seated tectonic forces at work, as the Somali plate moves away from the Nubian plate, stretching and thinning the Earth’s crust.

   Geologists predict that in 5 to 10 million years, the tectonic movement will eventually split the African continent into two, creating a new ocean basin.

   This new body of water would be the result of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden flooding over the Afar region and into the East African Rift Valley.

   Consequently, this part of East Africa would evolve into its own distinct continent.

hydropower generation capacity.

-----------------------------------