Recent research has highlighted a rare geological phenomenon that is slowly transforming the African continent from its depths.Scientists from various European universities, led by the University of Southampton, have identified intermittent pulses of molten rock rising from the Earth's mantle, which are causing tectonic plates to separate in the Afar region of Ethiopia.
The discovery offers a novel explanation for how continents break up.Far from being a constant flow, researchers have documented how these materials rise in the form of rhythmic "beats," similar to geological heartbeats. This dynamic could be responsible for the beginning of a new ocean, which would emerge as the tectonic plates continue to shift.
The Afar region represents one of the most unstable areas on the planet., where three major rifts converge: the Red Sea Rift, the Gulf of Aden, and the Ethiopian Rift. This intersection makes it a true natural laboratory to study how the Earth's lithosphere breaks up.For decades, it had been assumed that a mantle plume existed beneath the region; however, until this study, its behavior had not been identified in such detail.
A mantle feather that beats beneath our feet
The analysis of more than 130 samples of volcanic rocks from the region has allowed the reconstruction of the structure and composition of this plume of hot material.Researchers discovered a single asymmetrical plume that emits pulses of molten rock at regular intervals. These pulses, far from being random, generate repetitive chemical patterns that have been compared to geological barcodes.
These patterns vary depending on the speed at which the tectonic plates move apart., explained Professor Tom Gernon, one of the study's authors. In regions where plates move more rapidly, such as the Red Sea Rift, the pulses ascend more efficiently, allowing for more intense volcanic activity.
This finding implies that the mantle and tectonic plates do not act independently, but are more connected than previously thought.. The flow of magma drives these movements from deep within the planet., and in turn, the dynamics of the surface modulate the way in which this material emerges.
Implications for the geological future of the continent
The relationship between the mantle plume and the behavior of tectonic plates has opened new avenues of study on volcanism, earthquakes and ocean formation.According to Dr. Derek Keir, another of the lead researchers, this interdependence suggests that Earth's internal processes channel volcanic activity toward areas with thinner crust, which could explain why some volcanoes appear in specific locations.
The research has also had a notable logistical component.Ten academic institutions from Europe and Africa participated, and it was led by Emma Watts of Swansea University. The combination of fieldwork, statistical modeling, and geochemical analysis was crucial to unraveling this subterranean puzzle.
What is happening under Afar could be repeated in other parts of the planet where similar conditions exist.By studying how this new continental rift is opening and how it will eventually fill with seawater, scientists can also better understand how other oceans, like the Atlantic, formed millions of years ago.
The birth of a new ocean
Experts believe that, although the process is extremely slow, it is not a distant hypothesis.The gradual separation of the tectonic plates in the Afar region will cause seawater to penetrate this area over millions of years, giving rise to a new ocean.
This geological transformation offers a unique opportunity to observe in real time how the Earth's surface changes.Unlike other regions where such events occurred long ago, Afar offers a living window into the planet's past and future.
Furthermore, these discoveries allow adjustments to current seismic and volcanological models., anticipating potential natural hazards and improving planning in areas of high geological activity such as the Horn of Africa.
This discovery of deep-seated pulsations not only represents a breakthrough in our understanding of the planet's internal processes, but also influences the study of geological hazards, natural resource formation, and the geodynamic evolution of continents.