After years of Earth’s creation, the separation of continents is still taking place. This time it’s about a single continent splitting in two to make way for the planet’s sixth ocean.
It’s a gigantic crack in the Ethiopian desert, in Africa. There, a tectonic movement generated this opening, potentially influencing the discussion about the number of continents. On the other hand, the creation of the sixth ocean is not new, as it is a phenomenon that has been happening for over 25 million years and there is still a long time ahead before it finishes.
According to experts, it is believed that the process will only be completed in 5 to 10 million years for this ocean to fully form. During that time, the crack known as the Afar Depression will continue to sink below sea level, and the waters of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden will flood the region as part of the process of seafloor spreading.
This phenomenon is nothing but a unique opportunity for scientists, who will be able to analyze in real time how the separation of a continent occurs. So far, studies conducted in Afar have revealed the processes that shaped the planet millions of years ago, while contributing to improving the ability to anticipate and mitigate geological risks such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
A new ocean, a product of Earth’s remodeling
There is no doubt that this process gives rise to a new chapter in the history of nature, as below the ground, Earth’s layers are separating to welcome a new sea. In fact, the impact of this event promises to become one of the most significant geological phenomena for humanity.
This phenomenon occurs when three tectonic plates converge and begin a complex geological interaction that paves the way for the emergence of a new ocean.
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