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Magma "heartbeat" is tearing continent apart, geologists discover (www.newsweek.com)
submitted 1 week ago by throws_lemy@lemmy.nz to c/earthscience@mander.xyz
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A plume of molten rock rising from the depths of the Earth in heartbeat-like pulses is slowly tearing Africa apart—and will one day create a new ocean.

This is the conclusion of an international team of researchers who have been studying the crust and mantle beneath the Afar region of Ethiopia.

Afar is one of those rare places on Earth where three tectonic rifts meet—specifically, the Ethiopian, Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Rifts.

As tectonic plates are pulled apart at such rift zones, they stretch out and thin until they break, forming a new ocean basin over the course of millions of years.

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[-] otter@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 1 week ago

INAG, but checks notes isn't that exactly what it does, like always?

[-] glimse@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago

It's about this location specifically which is very rare. They did not know for sure that the region was on a plume until now

Geologists have long suspected that Afar is underlain by a mantle plume, a pillar of upwelling hot material that is helping to drive apart the overlying crust.

Geologists have long suspected that Afar is underlain by a mantle plume, a pillar of upwelling hot material that is helping to drive apart the overlying crust.

Until now, however, little was known about the structure of this plume, or how such phenomena behave under rifting plates.

[-] otter@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 1 week ago

You know, I actually appreciate your edifying reply, stranger. Thank you! 🤓🙇🏼‍♂️

this post was submitted on 01 Jul 2025
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