In the heart of Ethiopia, within the Afar region, a unique geological phenomenon is underway. Since 2005, a series of earthquakes have opened a crack nearly 60 kilometers long that continues to expand. Scientists indicate that this area is a convergence point for three tectonic plates: the Nubian, Arabian, and Somali plates, making Afar a natural laboratory where continental crust is transforming into oceanic crust.
The movement of tectonic plates is gradually separating the African continent at a rate of 2.5 centimeters per year. Although this process is imperceptible on a daily basis, it will eventually allow waters from the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden to flood the region, initially creating an inland sea and later a complete ocean. Recent studies suggest that this new ocean could form in less than a million years, a short timeframe in geological terms.
A study published in the journal Tectonophysics emphasizes that the expansion of oceanic crust in Afar is occurring faster than previously anticipated. Factors such as volcanic activity and frequent earthquakes in the region could further accelerate this phenomenon. According to geophysicist Cynthia Ebinger, 'what we are witnessing is not just an ocean, but a real-time expansion of the Red Sea.'
The formation of this ocean will not only alter geographic maps but also impact ecosystems and maritime trade routes. In the future, what is now an arid desert could transform into an ocean teeming with marine life, presenting new opportunities for biodiversity and global economy.
This fascinating geological process serves as a reminder that the planet is in a constant state of change, with nature capable of transforming entire landscapes in a blink of an eye, at least in geological terms.