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Massive Superplume Discovered Under East African Rift

5/28/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Beneath the East African Rift System, researchers have uncovered a massive superplume of scorching rock, fueling intense volcanic activity and the continent's slow division. Geochemical findings from Kenya reveal gases akin to those found in the Red Sea and Malawi, hinting at a shared deep mantle origin. This rift, stretching 2,175 miles, has been evolving for an astonishing 35 million years.

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Story summary

Beneath the East African Rift System, researchers have uncovered a massive superplume of scorching rock, fueling intense volcanic activity and the continent's slow division. Geochemical findings from Kenya reveal gases akin to those found in the Red Sea and Malawi, hinting at a shared deep mantle origin. This rift, stretching 2,175 miles, has been evolving for an astonishing 35 million years.