The African continent is indeed undergoing a process of continental rifting, which will eventually lead to the formation of a new ocean and a new continent. This process is happening along the East African Rift System, which is a series of deep valleys stretching from the Red Sea to Mozambique.
The process of continental rifting is caused by tectonic forces pulling the African continent in opposite directions, which is why the East African Rift System is widening and deepening. This rift system is caused by the movement of two tectonic plates: the African Plate and the Somali Plate. As these two plates move away from each other, the rift valley widens and deepens.
This splitting process will take millions of years to complete, so it is not something that will happen in our lifetime. However, the creation of a new ocean and a new continent will have significant consequences for the world we know.
One of the most significant consequences will be the alteration of ocean currents and climate. The creation of the Somali Basin will result in the separation of Africa from the rest of the continent, which will affect ocean circulation patterns. This, in turn, will alter the climate patterns in the surrounding regions, including rainfall and temperature.
Another consequence will be the creation of new habitats for marine life. The new ocean will create new environments for marine organisms, leading to the emergence of new species. However, it may also result in the loss of some species that are adapted to the current African coastline.
Furthermore, the creation of a new ocean and continent could have economic implications. It is possible that new oil and gas reserves could be discovered in the new ocean, leading to increased economic activity in the region.
It is important to note that the process of continental rifting is a natural process that has happened before in Earth's history. It is part of the natural cycle of plate tectonics, which is constantly reshaping the surface of our planet. While the consequences of this process will be significant, they will also be part of a natural evolution of the Earth's surface.
