my question to the resident knowledgeable folks: Once the rift gets to mean sea level, or opens into a fresh water reservoir and begins filling up with water: how much will that change the dynamics of the rift increasing and/or pushing the tectonic plates apart?

How does the pressures on the crust change with the additional weight of water on top of accrued sediment?

Just found that pic of the rift. From what I have read, it will take about 10 million years for the rift to split the continent.

Originally posted by sensfan

Just found that pic of the rift. From what I have read, it will take about 10 million years for the rift to split the continent.

Well I guess trying to beat the rush on some prime ocean front property would be a waste of time huh?

PHEW!! Solenki, You're a legend.
Having nearly finished my Geology degree, reading this thread was really beginning to hurt my brain. I realise this is a conspiracy site and members here are more likely to accept alternative theories than everyday folk. But what is up with all this "Expanding Earth" chat?

Denying ignorance doesn't mean accepting any theory that goes against the "official story/theory".
Ignorance: "Ignorance is the state in which one lacks knowledge, is unaware of something or chooses to subjectively ignore information. This should not be confused with being unintelligent, as one's level of intelligence and level of education or general awareness are not the same."

Plate tectonics and continental drift aren't just theories cooked up by "TPTB". They are theories that have been constructed piece by piece from observations and scientific data that have been collected over the last few generations from all around the globe.

Sorry to sound like a knob :p Now i know what other members must feel like when they read a thread that includes areas of knowledge they specialise in. I'm sure if i made a post in a chemistry thread i'd make dozens of members think

ON TOPIC: Pretty sure this will have almost zero effect on us as people, as the process will take so long we (an individual) won't notice any changes in our lifetime. Humans will merely accept however it is in their lifetime as 'just how it is and is ment to be', and only by reading history books or looking at old maps would an individual know it was ever any different.

This is a great thread, particularly in comparison to some of the stuff that's been getting heavily flagged lately. An interesting but unusual subject, grounded in reality, with sound evidence... and people are even responding positively to input from experts!

I'm excited to see a geological event of this significance occur during my lifetime. I'd love to hear more from the experts on the details of this event...

I assume the process could take tens or hundreds of thousands of years, but how frequently can major events like the one that created this rift occur? Will we see more progress in the formation of this new sea during our lifetimes?

The implications for agriculture in Africa, and the potential effects on the Nile, are interesting as well. Will the inundation of salt water prove harmful, or will it provide sufficient moisture to the dry interior of the continent that local ecosystems (over a long time period, of course) could shift from desert to more temperate climes?

I'm interested... off to Wikipedia, I guess.

I dig it ! Thanks!

wouldn't it still just be the Indian ocean ?

Except that now the Indian Ocean is bigger?

WOW, those pictures really put into perspective how large that is. I am sorry if I missed it but what news source is it from? Thanks, Pinky

Originally posted by LucidDreamer85
wouldn't it still just be the Indian ocean ?

Except that now the Indian Ocean is bigger?

I could be wrong, but the new area would probably be a sea, like the African Sea.

Originally posted by LucidDreamer85
wouldn't it still just be the Indian ocean ?

Except that now the Indian Ocean is bigger?

Come on party pooper .
It would be the Afro/Indian Sea.

[edit on 2-11-2009 by Donny 4 million]

Originally posted by kiwifoot

Originally posted by thecrow001
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 will lead the expidition to do this greatest prank in history. You can start by sending your precious metals and contact info to the address in my profile.

As far as sea levels, a shift shouldn't cause much of a change once things settle down. However if one of these ieces sinks it could mean some higher water levels.

Originally posted by sensfan

Just found that pic of the rift. From what I have read, it will take about 10 million years for the rift to split the continent.

Cool photo. Great fossils in there.
Did they say how long before it fills with water?

Originally posted by The Parallelogram
I assume the process could take tens or hundreds of thousands of years, but how frequently can major events like the one that created this rift occur?

Constantly. The continents are constantly moving. Right now, the Himalays are still traveling upwards and America and Asia are getting closer while America drifts away from Europe.

Will we see more progress in the formation of this new sea during our lifetimes?

Yes, measured in feet. Nothing larger.

The implications for agriculture in Africa, and the potential effects on the Nile, are interesting as well.

It won't have a significant impact for thosands of years.

Will the inundation of salt water prove harmful, or will it provide sufficient moisture to the dry interior of the continent that local ecosystems (over a long time period, of course) could shift from desert to more temperate climes?

The winds there blow from the east. Moisture in the west won't do much.

This is really cool news!!

Pretty exciting...although...not sure if we (our generation) would be the ones to finally see the waters.

Originally posted by Dr.Venkman
Having nearly finished my Geology degree, reading this thread was really beginning to hurt my brain. I realise this is a conspiracy site and members here are more likely to accept alternative theories than everyday folk. But what is up with all this "Expanding Earth" chat?

Started by artist Neil Adams, who is an excellent artist but who napped through all his science classes and never stood and studied a rock formation as it lay on the landscape. It would be "gneiss" if he wasn't so obliviously determined that he'd discovered something famous and unknown.

Plate tectonics and continental drift aren't just theories cooked up by "TPTB". They are theories that have been constructed piece by piece from observations and scientific data that have been collected over the last few generations from all around the globe.

And you can actually see them, but you have to learn what to look for and understand what you're seeing. This valley's been around for a very long time, but the motion was only noticed recently.

ON TOPIC: Pretty sure this will have almost zero effect on us as people, as the process will take so long we (an individual) won't notice any changes in our lifetime. Humans will merely accept however it is in their lifetime as 'just how it is and is ment to be', and only by reading history books or looking at old maps would an individual know it was ever any different.

Exactly.