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.
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Time of India
17 hours ago
- Time of India
Lava bursts from Earth's mantle are creating a new ocean in Africa
Image: Dr Derek Keir, University of Southampton/ University of Florence 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.
India Today
a day ago
- India Today
First black astronaut Robert Lawrence broke barriers but died before spaceflight
On a chilly December morning in 1967, Major Robert Henry LawrenceJr., the first Black astronaut selected by the US military, climbed into a sleek F104 jet at Edwards Air Force Base in California to demonstrate a key landing later, his space dream ended abruptly. His aircraft crashed, and his legacy went up in smoke and tears rather than in orbit. He was only breaking racial grounds as the first African-American ever on a manned space programme, selected on June 30, 1967, he never got to fly into space. But his story became a beacon for ambition, breaking both racial and professional barriers IN CHICAGO AND THE MAKING OF A PILOTSCHOLARGrowing up in Chicago, Lawrence showed early promise. Born on 2 October 1935, he graduated high school at just sixteen, finishing among the top of his class. His spare hours saw him building model planes and mastering he entered Bradley University, he carried that spark into Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC), a programme designed to train college students to become commissioned officers in the US Armed Forces. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons) advertisementBy twenty, he held a degree in chemistry, had earned a commission as an Air Force officer, and became a pilot-instructor flying T33 jets in his curiosity did not stop; it demanded more. So he returned to school -- this time at Ohio State University, where in 1965 he earned a PhD in physical COLOUR BARRIERS IN THE SPACE PROGRAMMEBy 1967, he had racked up over 2,500 flight hours, mostly in jets, and flew Lockheed F104 Starfighters to test maneuvers like the 'flare' -- essential for spacecraft landings. It wasn't long before NASA took achievements earned him selection for the Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL) programme on June 30, 1967 -- the first African American in any US astronaut an era when race walls still loomed, he answered with quiet resolve: 'just another step in civil rights normal progression,' he'd selection included astronaut training, but sadly, no mission would ever take him to space. Manned Orbit Laboratory (MOL) astronauts (Left to Right: Robert T. Herres, USAF; Robert H. Lawrence, Jr., USAF; Dr. Donald H. Peterson, USAF; and James A. Abrahamson, USAF) (Photo: Wikimedia Commons) THE FATAL TRAINING FLIGHTOn December 8, 1967, he was back at Edwards Air Force Base, teaching a trainee how to perform the steepdescent 'flare': a crucial glide manoeuvre for returning flew in an F104 Starfighter. During a steep-descent drill with a trainee, the jet flared too plane struck the runway hard, caught fire, and rolled. The pilot escaped. Lawrence did became the only MOL astronaut to die in training. He left behind a wife, Barbara, and their young son, Tracey.A LEGACY THAT FOUND LIGHT AFTER DARKThe Air Force quietly omitted his name from the original Astronaut Space Mirror Memorial, citing programme definitions. But advocates -- his wife Barbara, son Tracey, and historians -- persisted. In 1997, his name was finally mission patch flew aboard STS-86, and today the Cygnus spacecraft SS Robert H Lawrence honours him. At the Kennedy Space Center's Visitor Complex, the name of U.S. Air Foce Maj. Robert Lawrence is one of those included on the Space Mirror Memorial which honors those lost in efforts to explore space. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons) advertisementAFTERMATH AND RECOGNITIONFor years, his story lay hidden -- NASA did not immediately honour his name on the official Astronaut Space Mirror Memorial, citing Air Force from his loved ones and space historians changed that. In 1997, his name was finally etched in honors included having his mission patch flown aboard STS86 in 1997 and inspiring the naming of SS Robert H Lawrence, a 2020 Cygnus HIS STORY STILL MATTERS TODAYRobert Henry Lawrence Jr. never reached orbit, but he broke the most rigid barrier -- race in the astronaut corps. He showed the world that being black and brilliant were not contradictions. He combined science, skill, and steadfast though his life ended before lift-off, his legacy helped launch a more inclusive journey beyond Earth. It inspired a pathway for generations of astronauts -- reminding us that breakthroughs can begin in classrooms, laboratories, and sometimes in tragic accidents on runways.- Ends
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Nearly 20% of cancer drugs defective in 4 African nations
Representative Image (AI-generated) An alarming number of people across Africa may be taking cancer drugs that don't contain the vital ingredients needed to contain or reduce their disease. It's a concerning finding with roots in a complex problem: how to regulate a range of therapeutics across the continent. A US and pan-African research group published the findings this week in The Lancet Global Health. The researchers had collected dosage information, sometimes covertly, from a dozen hospitals and 25 pharmacies across Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi and Cameroon. They tested nearly 200 unique products across several brands. Around 17% — roughly one in six — were found to have incorrect active ingredient levels, including products used in major hospitals. Patients who receive insufficient dosages of these ingredients could see their tumors keep growing, and possibly even spread. Similar numbers of substandard antibiotics, antimalarial and tuberculosis drugs have been reported in the past, but this is the first time that such a study has found high levels of falsified or defective anticancer drugs in circulation. "I was not surprised by these results," said Lutz Heide, a pharmacist at the University of Tübingen in Germany who has previously worked for the Somali Health Ministry and has spent the past decade researching substandard and falsified medicines. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like local network access control Esseps Learn More Undo Heide was not part of the investigative group, but said the report shed light on a problem not previously measured. "I was delighted that, finally, someone published such a systemic report," he said. "That is a first, really significant systematic study of this area." Causes need addressing, but it's not straightforward: "There are many possible causes for bad-quality products," Marya Lieberman of the University of Notre Dame in the US, the investigation's senior researcher, told DW. Those causes can include faults in the manufacturing process or product decay due to poor storage conditions. But some drugs are also counterfeit, and that increases the risk of discrepancies between what's on the product label and the actual medicine within. Spotting substandard and falsified products can be difficult. Usually, a medical professional or patient is only able to perform a visual inspection — literally checking a label for discrepancies or pills and syringes for color differences — to spot falsified products. But that's not a reliable method. In the study, barely a quarter of the substandard products were identified through visual inspection. Laboratory testing identified the rest. Fixing the problem, Lieberman said, will require improving regulation and providing screening technologies and training where they're needed. "If you can't test it, you can't regulate it," she said. "The cancer medications are difficult to handle and analyze because they're very toxic, and so many labs don't want to do that. And that's a core problem for the sub-Saharan countries where we worked. Even though several of those countries have quite good labs, they don't have the facilities that are needed for safe handling of the chemo drugs established." Not only cancer treatments are affected: Nearly a decade ago, the World Health Organization found around one in 10 medicines used in low and middle-income countries were substandard or falsified. Independent research conducted since has backed those figures up, sometimes finding rates that are potentially twice as high. "This could lead to treatment failure, adverse reactions, disease progression," health economist Sachiko Ozawa told DW. Ozawa contributed to the investigation on anticancer drugs and has separately researched other cases of defective medicines. "For the community, there's also economic losses in terms of wasted resources,' she said. 'So countries may be spending a lot of money on medications that are not going to be effective." While high-income countries can monitor supply chains and have stringent regulatory systems in place to identify and withdraw suspect products, the infrastructure to do that is far from common in other regions. In those places, poor access to affordable medication often drives patients to less-regulated marketplaces. Inadequate governance and regulation, as well as a scarcity of surveillance and diagnostic equipment to test pharmaceuticals, are all contributing to the problem in Africa. "In high-income countries, I think there's a much more secure supply chain where you know the manufacturers are vetted, it has to go through very stringent regulatory processes to get gets tested more frequently," said Ozawa. The WHO told DW that following the report's findings, it was working with the four affected countries to address the problem. "We are concerned with the findings the article has highlighted. WHO is in contact with national authorities of four impacted countries and obtaining relevant data," it said in a statement. "We expect to assess full information to evaluate the situation, which often takes time and capacity. But we're committed to address these issues working with the relevant countries and partners." The WHO also reiterated its ongoing call for countries to improve their regulatory frameworks to "prevent incidents of substandard and falsified medicines, including in settings of cancer programs." Prevention, detection and response: In 2017, the WHO's review of substandard and falsified medicines offered three solutions based around prevention, detection and response. S topping the manufacture and sale of those medicines is the primary preventative measure, but where defective products make it to market, surveillance and response programs can prevent poor quality medicines from reaching patients. But regulatory reform sought by experts and authorities takes time. More immediate solutions are being developed in the form of better screening technologies. Lieberman is working on a "paper lab" — a type of test that can be used by trained professionals to chemically test the quality of a product before it's administered to a patient. Other laboratory technologies are also under development. One comforting point is that while a significant proportion of the medication circulating in medical facilities in the four African countries was defective, the majority of the products tested met required standards. "[With] two-thirds of the suppliers, all the products [were] good quality, so there are good quality suppliers," said Heide. "But a few of them really have a suspiciously high number of failing samples."
