A significant geological phenomenon is unfolding in the heart of Africa: a massive rift is forming that may eventually divide the continent into two distinct parts over millennia. This event serves as a concrete testament to the dynamics of plate tectonics, the natural process shaping the Earth's surface.
The theory of plate tectonics explains how continents move, fragment, and reassemble over time. Millions of years ago, all landmasses were united in a single supercontinent called Pangaea. Over time, Pangaea split into the current continents, and Africa now appears to be at the center of a new transformative process.
The Great Rift Valley, a depression extending approximately 6,400 kilometers from the Afar region to Mozambique, is the focal point of this change. This enormous fracture in the Earth's crust could mark the beginning of a new ocean formation, destined to separate East Africa from the rest of the continent.
The causes of this rift remain a topic of debate among scientists. Some geologists argue that the phenomenon is primarily due to soil erosion, while others emphasize the importance of tectonic movements. What is certain is that the process is set to continue, profoundly reshaping the geography of the African continent.