The Earth’s ‘Heartbeat’ Is Tearing Africa Apart And A New Ocean Is Rising Right Now!

Last Updated:June 27, 2025, 13:18 IST

Scientists have discovered a pulsating magma plume beneath Africa’s Afar region, slowly splitting the continent. This Rift activity could form a new ocean over millions of years

The Afar region, part of the East African Rift System, is where diverging tectonic plates are thinning the Earth’s crust, potentially leading to a complete split over time. (News18)

Something remarkable is occurring beneath the African continent that could one day reshape not just Africa, but the entire world. Scientists have detected a mysterious ‘pulse’ beneath the Afar region of Ethiopia, which is gradually causing the continent to split into two parts. If this process continues, it could eventually lead to the formation of a new ocean.

What Is Happening In Afar?

This intriguing discovery stems from collaborative research involving scientists from ten international institutions, including the University of Southampton. Their studies revealed a steady and repetitive pulsating activity beneath the Earth’s surface in Ethiopia’s Afar region.

These pulses originate from deep within the Earth, where magma, molten lava, is steadily pushing apart the tectonic plates.

Heart Of The Earth

In their research, scientists analysed more than 130 volcanic rock samples from Afar and the Main Ethiopian Rift. Their chemical analysis revealed a ‘magma plume’, that is, a steady column of lava within the Earth, that becomes intermittently active in pulses.

These pulses leave behind geological chemical patterns resembling a barcode. Professor Tom Jernan, co-author of the study from the University of Southampton, explains: “These pulses show that the lava flow beneath Afar is not stable but dynamic and reactive. It beats like the heart of the Earth."

Is A New Ocean Starting To Form?

The Afar region lies within the East African Rift System, an area where tectonic plates are drifting apart. As these plates separate, the Earth’s crust thins and may eventually split completely.

Scientists believe this is precisely what is underway in Afar, and that the ongoing process could, over millions of years, create a new ocean, thereby redrawing the world’s map.

Earlier this year, Professor Ken McDonald from the University of California noted an acceleration in the continental separation process in East Africa. He suggested that Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya, and parts of Tanzania could eventually break away to form a new landmass.

He warned that if the process continues, the Indian Ocean could flood the Rift Valley, transforming it into an ocean. Nonetheless, scientists emphasise that the full split of Africa will take millions of years.

Having completed the initial phase of research, scientists are now focused on measuring the speed of the magma flow beneath Afar and assessing the potential impacts on the Earth’s geology. The study was published in Nature Geoscience on June 25, 2025.

Location :

Ethiopia

First Published:

News world The Earth’s ‘Heartbeat’ Is Tearing Africa Apart And A New Ocean Is Rising Right Now!