The Beginning of a New Ocean
A rift has opened up in Ethiopia, shown here, that will one day become a new ocean. Other than a fascinating picture, the explanation is also really interesting.
Though the area is a clear choice for expansion since it sits near the meeting point for the African and Arabian tectonic plates, regular geologic expansion occurs here only at a rate of one inch per year. The rift was apparently caused in only a few days due to magma pressure from a nearby erupting volcano.
Welcome, new ocean! Now what should we call it?
[ http://www.livescience.com/environment/091102-africa-rift-ocean.html ]
Published on November 5, 2009 at 10:30AM.
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