One of the largest continents has dramatically started to split into two

While the Earth seems like a huge immovable structure, there are constant changes taking place slowly and steadily. One of the major ones is in the topography of the planet. The Earth’s surface keeps changing due to the ever-moving tectonic plates, per BBC Science Focus. This causes the continents to change their shapes and move into different formations. We don’t notice these changes because they occur subtly over millions of years. However, one of the largest continents has started seeing the shift take place and it’s baffling to witness these changes in real time.

In 2018, the southwestern Kenya region experienced a huge crack after heavy rainfall. Several kilometers long, this crack raised questions about the changes in the continent and whether it would split into two. However, because these changes take place in a very slow and gradual process, it is uncertain. Since the 1970s, researchers have been finding traces that hint that the African plate is rupturing into two different plates. These have been named the Somali and Nubian plates. Each of these plates is said to be moving in opposite directions, per How Stuff Works.

With the help of technology like satellite imagery and other equipment, researchers are suggesting that the gigantic African continent is slowly but steadily splitting. The split rate is at 0.2 inches per year so one can only imagine the amount of time before the African plate can be two completely different positions on the map. The rate at which the split is taking place has researchers in a fix as to whether the plates will split into two different parts. Moreover, the crack that stunned many in 2018 is said to have resulted from a pre-existing crevice that had lain undetected but was impacted by heavy rainfall. However, this process is taking place very slowly and may eventually be completed in 10 million years. 

As bizarre as this huge and impactful split may seem, similar changes have been actively occurring among various continents over millions of years. An example is the split of the African and South American plates, which were once connected on the Earth’s surface. According to one theory, the crust of the rift will eventually thin out and sink. As with the past shifts, the crust will likely stretch out until it eventually separates. Furthermore, a seaway is likely to come in between the rift zone and split the parts.

The split of the African continent is likely to have its pros and cons. While the good part would be increased opportunities and new openings to lifestyle, there are negatives too. Wildlife and humans will be affected. There will be a change in boundaries and geopolitical landscape. Since the drastic change is expected in a few million years, all we can do is simply hope for the best.