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African Desert Rift Confirmed as New Ocean in the Making
University of Rochester ^ | November 2, 2009 | Unknown

Posted on 11/02/2009 12:05:11 PM PST by decimon

Geologists Show that Seafloor Dynamics Are at Work in Splitting African Continent

In 2005, a gigantic, 35-mile-long rift broke open the desert ground in Ethiopia. At the time, some geologists believed the rift was the beginning of a new ocean as two parts of the African continent pulled apart, but the claim was controversial.

Now, scientists from several countries have confirmed that the volcanic processes at work beneath the Ethiopian rift are nearly identical to those at the bottom of the world's oceans, and the rift is indeed likely the beginning of a new sea.

The new study, published in the latest issue of Geophysical Research Letters, suggests that the highly active volcanic boundaries along the edges of tectonic ocean plates may suddenly break apart in large sections, instead of little by little as has been predominantly believed. In addition, such sudden large-scale events on land pose a much more serious hazard to populations living near the rift than would several smaller events, says Cindy Ebinger, professor of earth and environmental sciences at the University of Rochester and co-author of the study.

"This work is a breakthrough in our understanding of continental rifting leading to the creation of new ocean basins," says Ken Macdonald, professor emeritus in the Department of Earth Science at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and who is not affiliated with the research. "For the first time they demonstrate that activity on one rift segment can trigger a major episode of magma injection and associated deformation on a neighboring segment. Careful study of the 2005 mega-dike intrusion and its aftermath will continue to provide extraordinary opportunities for learning about continental rifts and mid-ocean ridges."

"The whole point of this study is to learn whether what is happening in Ethiopia is like what is happening at the bottom of the ocean where it's almost impossible for us to go," says Ebinger. "We knew that if we could establish that, then Ethiopia would essentially be a unique and superb ocean-ridge laboratory for us. Because of the unprecedented cross-border collaboration behind this research, we now know that the answer is yes, it is analogous."

Atalay Ayele, professor at the Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia, led the investigation, painstakingly gathering seismic data surrounding the 2005 event that led to the giant rift opening more than 20 feet in width in just days. Along with the seismic information from Ethiopia, Ayele combined data from neighboring Eritrea with the help of Ghebrebrhan Ogubazghi, professor at the Eritrea Institute of Technology, and from Yemen with the help of Jamal Sholan of the National Yemen Seismological Observatory Center. The map he drew of when and where earthquakes happened in the region fit tremendously well with the more detailed analyses Ebinger has conducted in more recent years.

Ayele's reconstruction of events showed that the rift did not open in a series of small earthquakes over an extended period of time, but tore open along its entire 35-mile length in just days. A volcano called Dabbahu at the northern end of the rift erupted first, then magma pushed up through the middle of the rift area and began "unzipping" the rift in both directions, says Ebinger.

Since the 2005 event, Ebinger and her colleagues have installed seismometers and measured 12 similar—though dramatically less intense—events.

"We know that seafloor ridges are created by a similar intrusion of magma into a rift, but we never knew that a huge length of the ridge could break open at once like this," says Ebinger. She explains that since the areas where the seafloor is spreading are almost always situated under miles of ocean, it's nearly impossible to monitor more than a small section of the ridge at once so there's no way for geologists to know how much of the ridge may break open and spread at any one time. "Seafloor ridges are made up of sections, each of which can be hundreds of miles long. Because of this study, we now know that each one of those segments can tear open in a just a few days."

Ebinger and her colleagues are continuing to monitor the area in Ethiopia to learn more about how the magma system beneath the rift evolves as the rift continues to grow.

Additional authors of the study include Derek Keir, Tim Wright, and Graham Stuart, professors of earth and environment at the University of Leeds, U.K.; Roger Buck, professor at the Earth Institute at Columbia University, N.Y.; and Eric Jacques, professor at the Institute de Physique du Globe de Paris, France.

About the University of Rochester

The University of Rochester (www.rochester.edu) is one of the nation’s leading private universities. Located in Rochester, N.Y., the University gives students exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary study and close collaboration with faculty through its unique cluster-based curriculum. Its College, School of Arts and Sciences, and Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences are complemented by the Eastman School of Music, Simon School of Business, Warner School of Education, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, and the Memorial Art Gallery.

PR 3486, MS 1975


TOPICS: History; Science
KEYWORDS: africa; arabia; bob152; catastrophism; redsea; science; timwright
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To: decimon

A new ocean in Ethiopia ? Does that mean Haile Selassie is the Kwisatz Haderach ?


21 posted on 11/02/2009 1:39:34 PM PST by fieldmarshaldj (~"This is what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps !"~~)
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To: fieldmarshaldj
A new ocean in Ethiopia ? Does that mean Haile Selassie is the Kwisatz Haderach ?

I dreadlock to think of it.

22 posted on 11/02/2009 1:46:20 PM PST by decimon
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To: decimon
Our Presidents country, Kenya, could get wiped out with a tidal wave if this happens.

This is not good. All of his family is there. Brothers, aunts, uncles.

Is the secret service aware of this?

23 posted on 11/02/2009 1:46:44 PM PST by PA-RIVER (Don't blame me. I voted for the American guy.)
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To: fieldmarshaldj

Or the Dragon Reborn?


24 posted on 11/02/2009 1:47:48 PM PST by Sherman Logan ("The price of freedom is the toleration of imperfections." Thomas Sowell)
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To: Bernard Marx

As I understand it, the Great Rift extends from southern Africa all the way to Mt. Hermon. The Red Sea fills one of the valleys in this rift system. The various great East African lakes are located in others.


25 posted on 11/02/2009 1:50:03 PM PST by Sherman Logan ("The price of freedom is the toleration of imperfections." Thomas Sowell)
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To: decimon

Another AGW caualty.


26 posted on 11/02/2009 2:00:43 PM PST by Old Professer (The critic writes with rapier pen, dips it twice, then writes again.)
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To: decimon

Imagine that.Turning a desert waste into something usefull.Who said there wasn’t a god?

That’s probably the best thing that ever happend to eastern Africa since continental drift.


27 posted on 11/02/2009 2:06:48 PM PST by puppypusher (The world is going to the Dogs.)
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To: decimon; 75thOVI; aimhigh; Alice in Wonderland; AndrewC; aragorn; aristotleman; Avoiding_Sulla; ...
Thanks decimon. I think there's been a topic about this, but this is an update, plus it's been a long time.
 
Catastrophism
 
· join · view topics · view or post blog · bookmark · post new topic · subscribe ·
 

28 posted on 11/02/2009 2:29:12 PM PST by SunkenCiv (https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/__Since Jan 3, 2004__Profile updated Monday, January 12, 2009)
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To: decimon

Isn’t this area below sea level right now?? If the rift reaches the ocean the whole area may flood, similar to what may have happened when the Mediterranean reached the Black Sea.


29 posted on 11/02/2009 2:35:13 PM PST by CedarDave (FOX news:"Fair and balanced (no matter what the White House says) . We report because others won't.")
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To: decimon

God, or Mother Nature (which God created), is at work maintaining our Earth.

It’s NOT nice to mess with Mother Nature. Ya’ hear that, you enviro loonies?


30 posted on 11/02/2009 2:43:24 PM PST by papasmurf (RnVjayB5b3UsIDBiYW1hLCB5b3UgcGllY2Ugb2Ygc2hpdCBjb3dhcmQh)
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To: decimon

I think I’ll buy some (future) ocean front property in Ethiopia for an investment.

No, better yet, I think I’ll start selling ocean front property in Ethiopia...to Demoncrats!


31 posted on 11/02/2009 2:46:23 PM PST by papasmurf (RnVjayB5b3UsIDBiYW1hLCB5b3UgcGllY2Ugb2Ygc2hpdCBjb3dhcmQh)
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To: SunkenCiv

Never enough rift.


32 posted on 11/02/2009 2:52:34 PM PST by decimon
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is there anything we can do to speed it up?


33 posted on 11/02/2009 2:55:57 PM PST by isom35
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To: decimon
Careful study of the 2005 mega-dike intrusion and its aftermath ...

Stop lookin' at me!
I didn't do it!
It was .....other....mega dykes.

34 posted on 11/02/2009 3:56:14 PM PST by uglybiker (BACON!!)
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To: decimon

[singing] I’m riftin’ I’m riftin’...


35 posted on 11/02/2009 3:58:41 PM PST by SunkenCiv (https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/__Since Jan 3, 2004__Profile updated Monday, January 12, 2009)
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To: Sherman Logan

I think my point will be clarified when you read the actual press release. It discusses a localized portion of the African Rift system.


36 posted on 11/02/2009 7:43:22 PM PST by Bernard Marx ("Civilizations die by suicide, not from murder" Toynbee)
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To: Bernard Marx

So all of this fuss is just about a small portion of the great rift valley? Not much news here.


37 posted on 11/03/2009 7:07:22 AM PST by Lucius Cornelius Sulla (a wild-eyed, exclusionist, birther religio-beast -- Daily Kos)
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To: Lucius Cornelius Sulla
Not much news here.

Only for those without the wit to perceive it.

38 posted on 11/03/2009 7:33:10 AM PST by Bernard Marx ("Civilizations die by suicide, not from murder" Toynbee)
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