2023-12-28 04:43:11
Title: Scientists Predict a New World Ocean May Form Sooner Than Expected
A new world ocean is forming on Earth and according to new scientific findings, it may happen sooner than previously believed. Cynthia Ebinger, a researcher at Tulane University in the US, predicts that it could happen in about 10 million years but also added that it could happen even sooner, possibly in half a day. This stands in contrast to previous projections which estimated a timeframe of between 50 lakh and one crore years for the new ocean to form.
The location where this new ocean is expected to form is Afar, a region located at the boundaries of three continental plates: Arabia, Africa, and Somalia. Ebinger’s research has found that the volcanic activity in East Africa stems from a single “hot spot” and the area is experiencing a rift in tectonic plates, with the expectation that part of the Somali plate will break off toward the Indian Ocean, creating the new ocean.
Research has also found evidence of major geological activity in the region, including volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and the formation of new mountains. The seismic map shows that an ocean is forming, but scientists caution that it will take millions of years for the new ocean to fully form.
However, recent findings have indicated that the terrain beneath the Afar Corridor is very thin and a narrow zone where seafloor spreading has begun, suggesting that the new ocean may form in less than 10 million years. Ebinger also noted that a significant earthquake could potentially accelerate this process, highlighting the challenge in accurately predicting geological events such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
The research into the Great Rift in the Ethiopian desert aims to develop tools for accurately predicting environmental disasters and improving measures for protecting against natural events. With the potential for a new ocean to form on Earth, understanding and predicting geological activity will become increasingly important for safeguarding against future disasters.
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