‘African continent splitting in two’ reports have emerged again after a huge crack appeared in Kenya a couple of years ago.
Reports about the major geological event first went viral in 2018 when images of a massive crack in southwestern Kenya made headlines across the world.
For years, geologists and scientists have studied Africa’s tectonic plates and have claimed that a new ocean ‘is being formed’ as the ‘continent splits in half’.
Here’s what you need to know about the resurfaced media reports.
‘African continent splitting in two’ reports emerge
Social media attention is once again on the African continent after posts of a ‘new ocean being formed as the continent splits in two’ emerged online.
Twitter posts containing the headline ‘African continent splitting in half’ have gone viral after several reports started trending again.
In 2005, a 35-mile-long rift appeared in the Ethiopian desert of the Far region, a result of movements of the continent’s tectonic plates.
Several media outlets were abuzz with articles about the African continent’s fate after pictures of the huge crack appeared.
However, it’s worth noting that geologists expect the continent’s split to take millions of years. The ocean could get formed in at least 5 million to 10 million years, according to NBC News.
Crack opened up in Kenya’s Rift Valley
In 2018, the media once again turned the spotlight on the African continent’s geological fate after a massive crack opened up in Kenya’s Rift Valley.
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The crack was located in the East African Rift Valley and measured 50 feet in depth and 65 feet across, local publication Daily Nation reported at the time.
The crack appeared following heavy rainfalls in the area which destroyed part of the Narok-Nairobi highway. You can watch the video below to see the damage from the crack:
Geologist’s thoughts on continent’s tectonic fate
Geologist David Adede addressed the 2018 events in Kenya and said in an interview: “The Great Rift splits Africa into two plates. With what is happening we have established one plate which is the Somali plate is moving away from the other plate at a rate of 2.5cm.
“In the near future if this happens we shall have the Somali plate separating from the other Nubian plate.”
Adede continued: “There is a great need for researchers to conduct a comprehensive study on the terrain of this region so that they can advise on where roads and residential buildings can be established.
“This can play a key role in dealing with such natural disasters should they happen.”
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