The African tectonic plate may break apart. The first geochemical signals of a fracture of the Earth’s crust, directly connected to the mantle, which can be widened causing cracks in the African tectonic plate, are discovered in Zambia.

Oxford University experts have analyzed the gases that come to the surface in the Rift Valley, and from the chemical composition they show that they have a direct connection with the Earth’s mantle, that is 40-160 km below the surface.

This fluid connection is indicative. the plate boundary is active and as a result the Rift Valley and southwest Africa may be the first signs of sub-Saharan African fragmentation.

The Rift Valley is part of a system that extends for about 2,500 km diagonally to the center of the continent and may also be connected to the Atlantic, which is the boundary where the African tectonic plate joins the one of South America.

However, the authors of the study say that the process it will be slow and it will take millions of years.

Meanwhile, they explain that the started phenomenon can be used as an important source of energy, especially in geothermal energy and hydrogen and helium gas, which could give a very important impulse to local economies.

Source: prizrenpost