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Earth's Mantle Pulses: New Ocean Basin Emerges in Africa

10/31/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Scientists have detected a pulsating rhythm beneath the Afar region in East Africa, showing that Earth's mantle is dynamic.
The rhythm is driven by interactions among the Arabian, Nubian, and Somali tectonic plates.
Rising magma both fuels volcanoes and influences the speed of plate separation.
As rifting continues, a new ocean basin is expected, which could transform the Horn of Africa into a large island.

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Story summary

Scientists have detected a pulsating rhythm beneath the Afar region in East Africa, showing that Earth's mantle is dynamic.
The rhythm is driven by interactions among the Arabian, Nubian, and Somali tectonic plates.
Rising magma both fuels volcanoes and influences the speed of plate separation.
As rifting continues, a new ocean basin is expected, which could transform the Horn of Africa into a large island.