The Rift Valley

El rift valley It is a large geological structure that began to form about 30 million years ago and extends 4830 kilometers in a north-south direction. This natural phenomenon is a clear example of how a valley is formed, and its characteristics are unique in the world, as explained in the article about What is a valley and how is it formed?.

Today it is considered the cradle of humanity due to the large number of hominid fossils that have been found there. In addition, Unesco declared the lakes a World Heritage Site in 2011. But, What else is special about this area?

Where are you from?

As we said at the beginning, the Rift Valley began to form about 30 million years ago as a result of the separation of the tectonic plates (Somali, Indian, Arabian and Eurasian). As time passes and the Earth's crust is melted by magma rising to the surface, a long trench with steep slopes is formed., as described in the content about geological records and their relevance.

The central rocky zone regularly fragments, creating faults where the rock blocks slide vertically. In many areas, these blocks sink, forming a graben, a long depression bordered on both sides by parallel normal faults. This geological peculiarity is explained in articles on relief that delve into this type of formation, such as the one found in what is relief.

How is your geography?

The Rift Valley, located to the east of the African continent, has an extension of 4830 kilometers. In its eastern part we find the typical African savannas, where the African buffalo, the wildebeest, the giraffe or the lion live; and in the west it hosts jungles, which are the habitat of chimpanzees and gorillas, among others.

There you can also see the Kilimanjaro volcano, which is a mountain located in the northwest of Tanzania formed by three inactive volcanoes (Shira which is located to the west and has an altitude of 3962 meters, Maswenzi which is in the east and measures 5149 meters high and the Uhuru which is in the middle of both and has an altitude of 5891,8 meters), as well as some of the largest freshwater lakes on the continent, such as Turkana, Tanganyika or Malawi. Explorers who venture into this area can learn about geological records and their relevance in the history of the planet, as well as in the danakil desert.

As a consequence of the separation exerted by the Rift Valley, in the east of the continent the climate is drier than in the west, which is why in this part of Africa the savannah appeared first, and then the local apes that until then lived in the trees. Some time later they must have become terrestrial, learning to walk on their two hind legs that we know today as legs.

This is a magnificent area to learn more about the most remote past of the human being, since the great rift has exposed hundreds of meters of geological strataSo finding human fossils is not only not a difficult task, it must also be fascinating.

What are the lakes of the Great Rift Valley?

Image – Flickr/fabulousfabs[/caption>

The lakes in this valley are some of the richest in biodiversity in the world. So far, 800 species of cichlid fish have been discovered (bony fish), and there are still many more that are still waiting to be discovered.

But also, although lakes are not very helpful in absorbing greenhouse gases that are emitted by fossil fuels, aerosols and others, they are there is a need to reduce the deforestation of the surroundings and to restore those areas that have been clearedForests, both in Africa and elsewhere on the planet, do absorb gases like carbon dioxide, thereby mitigating the effects of climate change. Preserving these ecosystems is essential for the health of the planet.

Their names are:

Ethiopia

• Lake Abaya: 1162 km2
• Chamo Lake: 551 km2
• Lake Ziway: 485 km2
• Shala Lake: 329 km2
• Koka Lake: 250 km2
• Langanao lake: 230 km2
• Abijatta lake: 205 km2
• Awasa Lake: 129 km2

Kenya

• Turkana lake: 6405 km2
• Lake Logipi: it is a shallow lake that is in the Suguta valley
• Baringo Lake: 130 km2
• Lake bogoria: 34 km2
• Lake nakuru: 40 km2
• Elmenteita Lake: shallow lake.
• Naivasha lake: 160 km2
• Lake Magadi: shallow lake located near the border with Tanzania.

Tanzania

• Lake natron- Shallow lake categorized by the World Wildlife Fund as the East African halophytic ecoregion.
• Lake Manyara: 231 km2
• Eyasi lake: shallow seasonal lake
• Makati Lake

Western lakes

• Lake Albert: 5300 km2
• Lake Eduardo: 2325 km2
• Kivu lake: 2220 km2
• Tanganyika lake: 32000 km2

Southern lakes

• Rukwa Lake: about 560 km2
• Malawi Lake: 30000 km2
• Malombe Lake: 450 km2
• Chilwa Lake: 1750 km2

Other lakes

• Lake Moero: 4350 km2
• Mweru Wantipa Lake: 1500 km2

Image – Wikimedia/Lichinga[/caption>

The Rift Valley is a stunning place, teeming with life. It's one of those places you have to see at least once, just like the wonders found in the valley. Horn of AfricaWe hope you enjoyed this article dedicated to the cradle of humanity.