African desert rift confirmed as new ocean in the making!

Now I post quite a few Science related stories on ATS, I find them interesting but others don't seem to!

This one comes under that category!

African desert rift confirmed as new ocean in the making



A new Ocean forming in the centre of Africa, now I really do find that coool!





It doesn't say how the rift will form into an ocean, or where the water will come from, but it's still amazing.

It's not often in the history of Earth that people can say they witnessed the birth of a new Ocean!

From the British Geological Survey



So it looks like the Rift will widen, eventually splitting the continent, becoming an ocean.


(Thanks to fleetlord for bringing this image to my attention!)

But I'm pretty sure it's a few million years away yet, but I still find it interesting!

I'll be the only one as usual!





[edit on 2-11-2009 by kiwifoot]

I am a big Geology fan and I find that very interesting. I am anxious to see if it will reveal any ancient cities or technology that has been hidden from us.

Yeah good point, imagine the fossils that could be exposed, if the lava doesn't destroy them, that is!

If that continent could talk, it would have some stories!

All the best, Kiwifoot

I've heard that the African continent is splitting into two tectonic plates (the Nubian Plate and Somalian Plate). Africa is supposed to split open right down to Lake Victoria and then out to sea.
Click here - for a more visual form.
The Afar region the source mentions is shaded in red.

It will probably remain a dry valley (not counting rainfall) until the split reaches the Red Sea. I wish I could be there when that happens, imagine an entire sea filling up a valley...

This might be a great opportunity to get a look at what a dry ocean looks like. Maybe we can use it when looking at other water-less planets?




[edit on 2-11-2009 by fleetlord]

i love these threads i should tell people more.

amazing at what we could be seeing here. Bring on the new knowleadge which will appear.

reply to post by fleetlord

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Thanks mate, I added that to the thread, I gave you credit of course!

And you're right on both accounts- I'd love to be there and it may turn up a heap of info!

thanks again!

[edit on 2-11-2009 by kiwifoot]

Always the pessimist (me), I just hope it doesn't crack open a seam of gold or diamonds, and some Western Corporation comes in and devours the lot!

I could see that happening!

If a new ocean forms.. does that means that ocean levels will lower?

A rift the size of the width of africa is alot of water even it if is skinny.
what happens then?

i know i hate it when things like this happen, if this does turn out to be a ocean i say lets put some pots and treasures for people of the future to discover

even though i know its a stupid idea

I like it, we could start our own 'Atlantis' myth!

Who knows, it may split open to reveal more than we bargained for!

I'll have to ask the same question. Would the ocean levels lower??

Hm, good question, I'd assume that the water coming in to fill the rift will reduce the sea levels a touch, but it will probably be so hot when it happens, in a few million years, that it may not make a dent.

Hm I wonder if there are any more learned members who have thoughts on that one?

i dont think it will lower the sea levels with global warming coming just in time

could more oceans be popping up in other places ?

Just putting it out there, could a level 10 earthquake, speed up the process on it turning into a new ocean? Not saying it will happen.

[edit on 2-11-2009 by Maddogkull]

From what I can gather, the process happens in large events, like major earthquakes, so that scenario is possible.

Wouldn't want to be anywhere near there when that goes down!

Man i love this stuff!!!!
Thanks so much for bringing this to us, your definatly not alone in loving the science aspects of the unusual.
First thing i thought of when i saw the article is that theory that the earth is not comprised of tectonique plates but its expanding. I dont know why exactly but thats what came to mind.

From what I can gather from good ol' Wiki, divergence of techtonic plates is happening all over the world, except it's usually under the sea.



that's why this is so unique!

reply to post by kiwifoot

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I would think that if this rift opens up toward another body of water, that is where the water would come from. For example, if one end of this rift opened up at the Indian Ocean, water would flood into the rift from the Indian Ocean. As for the water levels, I think it would depend how big this sea ended up being and how deep it was. If it ends up being the size of the Mediterranean, I think that there may be something to worry about. I don't see something Lake Superior size doing much.

Don't sell yourself short, this is a really cool find. I never heard of this prior to this thread, it's interesting on many levels. I'd love to see what this would look like when it fills in! Thanks for posting this info

I wonder how quickly it happened?