Africa’s Afar Triangle

Source-This post on Africa’s Afar Triangle is based on the article “Geologists have found a fault that create world’s sixth ocean” published in “Times of India” on 22nd March 2024.

Why in the News?

Recent geological discoveries indicate that the Afar Triangle in Africa may become the origin of a new ocean within the next 5 to 10 million years.

About Africa’s Afar Triangle

1. The Afar Triangle, located in the Horn of Africa, is a geological depression where three tectonic plates- the Nubian, Somali, and Arabian plates- meet.

2. In addition to its geological importance, the Afar Triangle has a rich palaeontological history, revealing fossils of some of the earliest hominins.

3. It is part of the Great Rift Valley in East Africa.

4. It spans across Eritrea, Djibouti, and the Afar Region of Ethiopia.

5. It contains Lake Assal, which is Africa’s lowest point.

6. It is bordered by the Ethiopian Plateau, the Danakil block, the Somali Plateau, and the Ali-Sabieh block.

What are the causes for the rift in Afar region?

Tectonic movements and rift expansion:

1. The Afar region has undergone gradual tectonic shifts over millions of years. In 2005, a big crack appeared in the Ethiopian desert, showing how Africa is still splitting apart due to these forces.

2. A significant contributor to the rifting process is thought to be a massive plume of superheated heated rocks ascending from the mantle beneath East Africa.

3. The presence of magma in the area, especially around the Erta Ale volcano, provides insights into the tectonic shift.

Note– Rifting is a geological process when the Earth’s outer layer gets stretched and thinned, creating rift valleys or basins. This happens mostly at divergent plate boundaries, where tectonic plates move apart.

UPSC Syllabus- Geography and Places in news