A New Ocean Is Forming in Africa and It Can Cause a Continental Split

A new ocean is forming in Africa, as the continent is slowly splitting apart. The African continent is being torn in two by the East African Rift, a massive crack in the Earth’s crust that stretches over 1,800 miles from the Horn of Africa to Mozambique. This rift is slowly widening, and scientists predict that in millions of years, a new ocean will form as the African continent splits into two separate landmasses. This process is known as continental rifting, and it is a natural part of the Earth’s geologic cycle. While the formation of a new ocean may be millions of years away, the East African Rift serves as a reminder of the dynamic and ever-changing nature of our planet.