Africa's New Ocean - A Continent Splits Apart
March 15, 2006
Normally new rivers, seas and mountains are born in
slow motion. The Afar Triangle near the Horn of Africa is another
story. A new ocean is forming there with staggering speed -- at least by
geological standards. Africa will eventually lose its horn.
Geologist Dereje Ayalew and his colleagues from Addis Ababa University were
amazed -- and frightened. They had only just stepped out of their helicopter
onto the desert plains of central Ethiopia when the ground began to shake under
their feet. The pilot shouted for the scientists to get back to the helicopter.
And then it happened: the Earth split open. Crevices began racing toward the
researchers like a zipper opening up. After a few seconds, the ground stopped
moving, and after they had recovered from their shock, Ayalew and his colleagues
realized they had just witnessed history. For the first time ever, human beings
were able to witness the first stages in the birth of an ocean.
Click HERE to see photos.
SOURCE: Spiegel Online