
Lava bursts from Earth's mantle are creating a new ocean in Africa
In
East Africa
's
Afar Depression
, one of the only places on Earth where three
tectonic plates
meet, scientists have found compelling new evidence that fresh lava from deep within the mantle is playing a key role in the continent's gradual splitting. Recent studies reveal that mantle upwellings beneath the region are not uniform but instead pulse upward in complex waves of molten material. This geological activity is not only fueling
volcanic eruptions
and earthquakes but is also actively weakening the crust. Over time, this process is expected to lead to the formation of a new ocean that will one day separate the Horn of Africa from the rest of the continent, transforming the geography of the region on a monumental scale.
Lava pulses and chemical striping reveal Earth's deep inner workings
Scientists from the University of Southampton and Swansea University analyzed lava from over 130 young volcanoes across the Afar region. Their findings showed that the mantle beneath East Africa behaves like a beating heart, with pulses of partially molten rock rising to the surface. Each pulse carries its own distinct chemical signature, indicating that the mantle is not a single plume but a patchwork of different materials. This dynamic behavior is strongly influenced by the thickness and motion of the tectonic plates above.
In fast-moving zones like the Red Sea Rift, mantle flow is more focused and intense. In slower rifting regions, it spreads more gradually. These pulses travel through thinned areas of the Earth's crust, which are more susceptible to volcanic eruptions. The chemical "striping" in the lava mirrors cardiovascular rhythms and reflects the deep Earth's internal tempo. This provides rare insight into how volcanic activity on the surface is tied to hidden processes occurring far beneath our feet.
The plume's action is also eroding the lithosphere, Earth's outer shell, to just 15 kilometers thick in some parts of the Afar Depression. As the plates continue to stretch and thin, they create conduits for even more lava to reach the surface, leading to cycles of volcanic eruptions and seismic activity. This process mirrors events that shaped the Atlantic Ocean millions of years ago.
A continent breaks apart and a new ocean is born
The geological activity in the Afar region is part of a larger process known as
continental rifting
. Here, the African, Arabian, and Somali tectonic plates are moving away from each other. The space created between them is being filled with rising magma and new crust. Over time, as this rifting continues, seawater is expected to flow in and permanently flood the region. This will create a new ocean basin, much like the Atlantic that once separated Europe and North America.
The current volcanic activity is already reshaping the surface. Lava from the Erta Ale volcano blankets large parts of Ethiopia, and frequent earthquake swarms mark zones of intense tectonic stress. The Boset Volcano shows layer upon layer of volcanic deposits, illustrating the long-term accumulation of geological events driven by the mantle's upwelling.
These findings not only offer a real-time glimpse into the birth of an ocean but also have implications for understanding Earth's climate and history. Similar mantle plumes in the past have produced massive volcanic provinces like the North Atlantic Igneous Province, which contributed to significant climate changes and possibly even mass extinctions through the release of CO₂ and sulfur dioxide.
Scientists emphasize that collaboration across institutions and disciplines is essential for understanding these complex dynamics. Future research will focus on mapping mantle flows beneath other thinning tectonic plates and predicting how these deep forces shape surface geology. Ultimately, the Afar region provides a natural laboratory for observing the connection between Earth's interior and its evolving surface in action.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Hindu
2 days ago
- The Hindu
TN Science Forum urges Centre to release Keeladi report forthwith
The Tamil Nadu Science Forum emphasised the scientifically-backed evidence of the Keeladi excavation and urged the Union government to release the report filed by archaeologist K. Amarnath Ramakrishna. They released a report on the importance of Keeladi excavation during an event conducted here on Thursday. The report stated that the findings of the archaeological department were based on scientific research involving discoveries based on contemporary scientific techniques and have been proven with evidence. As a basic principle, the findings too could be subjected to further evolution, it added. 'The ongoing archaeological study at Keeladi is being conducted with more advanced technology than even the genetic testing employed in Indus Valley (Harappa –Mohenjodaro) excavations,' it stated. The study has employed sophisticated scientific methodologies such 10x10 meter trenches for stratigraphy, meticulous collection of every stratum, soil sieving to retrieve micro-artifacts, drone surveys, carbon dating and multi-disciplinary collaborative research. P. Pavel Bharathi, Founder, Vaigai Archeological and Cultural Forum, said, thy did not accept the Government of India's assertion that Keeladi could not be dated before 300 BCE. 'We believe that human DNA studies from skeletal remains found in burial urns (a practice dated to around 850 BCE) in Konthagai will shed further light, especially since segments of the ancient African ancestral mother's maternal genetic lineage are found in the Uthiyan Cheral Irumporai community of Usilampatti (Virumandi),' he added. Virumandi, a man from Tamil Nadu, carries a significant genetic marker (M130) that links him to the earliest modern human migrations out of Africa, dating back approximately 70,000 years. This discovery, made by geneticists from Madurai Kamaraj University, suggests that South India was one of the first places where these early humans settled. The M130 marker is found in other non-Africans as well, but Virumandi's DNA provides a strong link to this ancient migration.


India Today
3 days ago
- India Today
Dramatic, unexpected events unfolding in Southern Ocean due to climate change
Researchers have uncovered a dramatic and unexpected shift in the Southern Ocean, with surface waters becoming saltier and Antarctic sea ice retreating at a record 2015, Antarctica has lost sea ice equal to the size of Greenland—the largest environmental change observed on Earth in recent decades, the Southern Ocean's surface was freshening, helping to grow and sustain sea ice. This fresh layer acted as a barrier, trapping heat in deeper waters and protecting sea ice from melting. However, new satellite data and robotic ocean sensors now reveal a sharp reversal: surface salinity is rising, stratification is weakening, and sea ice is vanishing at unprecedented The research, led by the University of Southampton and published June 30 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, shows that saltier surface water allows deep ocean heat to rise more easily, melting sea ice from below. There is a sudden rise in surface salinity south of 50 latitude. (Photo: Nasa) 'It's a dangerous feedback loop: less ice leads to more heat, which leads to even less ice,' explained Dr. Alessandro Silvano, the study's lead cycle has been further highlighted by the return of the Maud Rise polynya—a massive hole in the sea ice nearly four times the size of Wales — which had not appeared since the loss of Antarctic sea ice has immediate global consequences. Sea ice reflects sunlight, helping to regulate the planet's temperature. Its decline means more heat is absorbed by the ocean, intensifying storms, accelerating global warming, and shrinking habitats for penguins and other Antarctic rapid changes are also reshaping ocean currents and weather systems far beyond the polar are now urging for continuous satellite and in-situ monitoring to better understand these changes, as current climate models did not predict such a rapid shift.'If this salty, low-ice state continues, it could permanently reshape the Southern Ocean—and with it, the planet,' warned Dr. research points to the urgency of revising scientific models and maintaining robust observation networks to track the evolving climate crisis.- EndsMust Watch


Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
UAE: Sharjah dig uncovers 80,000-year-old tools confirming 210,000 years of human presence in Arabia
The UAE, which currently has one UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Cultural Sites of Al Ain inscribed in 2011, is now pursuing recognition for Jebel Faya as its second/ Image: Sharjah Archaelogy Authority Archaeologists have made a groundbreaking discovery at Jebel Faya in the Emirate of Sharjah, unearthing 80,000-year-old stone tools that fundamentally reshape our understanding of early human history in the Arabian Peninsula. This discovery provides compelling evidence that early Homo sapiens were not merely transient in Arabia, they lived, adapted, and thrived in the region over tens of thousands of years. In total, the archaeological record at Jebel Faya reveals an unbroken human presence spanning 210,000 years, an extraordinary continuity rare in the Arabian archaeological landscape. The findings were published in February 2025 in the peer-reviewed journal Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, and reported by the state news agency WAM on Wednesday. The artifacts were excavated between 2012 and 2017, then studied, dated, and peer-reviewed before the results were made public. From Ancient Tools to Global Recognition The significance of the discovery has prompted an important administrative step: Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has issued a formal decision approving the boundaries of the Al Faya site for nomination to the UNESCO World Heritage List. According to the official decree, the location, boundaries, and area of Al Faya, as outlined in the approved map, are now formally nominated as a cultural heritage site. A final decision on the site's inclusion is expected at UNESCO's 47th session, scheduled for July 7–16, 2025, in Paris. Currently, the UAE has one UNESCO World Heritage Site: the Cultural Sites of Al Ain, which were added in 2011. What the Tools Reveal About Early Humans The tools found at Jebel Faya are not ordinary. Researchers identified an advanced technique called bidirectional reduction, a complex method requiring carefully executed strikes at both ends of a stone core to create elongated blades and flakes. 'This wasn't random knapping,' explained Dr Knut Bretzke, a lead archaeologist on the project. 'Bidirectional reduction required foresight. It's like a chef filleting a fish, each strike intentional, each angle calculated. The goal was to maximise material efficiency, preserving the raw stone for future use. It reflects deep environmental knowledge and an extraordinary level of cognitive skill.' These multipurpose tools were designed for: Hunting Butchering animals Processing plant materials Crafting other implements This diversity indicates that for these early human groups, technology was both a survival tool and a form of cultural expression. The presence of such tools during Marine Isotope Stage 5a (MIS 5a), a period of dramatic environmental change when monsoons from the Indian Ocean turned Arabia's deserts into verdant grasslands, lakes, and rivers, shows that humans not only survived but adapted successfully to the shifting climate of the region. Collaboration, Science, and Cultural Vision The excavations at Jebel Faya were part of an international research project led by the Sharjah Archaeology Authority (SAA) in collaboration with universities from Germany and the United Kingdom. The project was funded by the German Research Foundation and the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences. Using luminescence dating, researchers were able to establish a nearly continuous timeline of human presence at the site from 210,000 years ago to 80,000 years ago. This suggests that early humans across this 130,000-year period either remained at the site continuously or returned to it repeatedly, even as environmental conditions fluctuated. 'The discoveries at Jebel Faya show that resilience, adaptability, and innovation are among the most defining traits of humanity,' said Eisa Yousif, Director of the Sharjah Archaeology Authority. 'These tools reflect a profound relationship between people and their land. As we advance our efforts to nominate the Faya Palaeolandscape for UNESCO recognition, we are reminded of how our shared past continues to shape who we are and who we may become.'