Geological Transformations in Eastern Africa

In 2005, a series of earthquakes and a volcanic eruption in Afar, Ethiopia, highlighted the ongoing rifting process in eastern Africa. This rifting is gradually splitting the African continent, potentially forming a new ocean. The Great Rift Valley, a result of this tectonic activity, has been studied since the early 20th century. Recent studies recorded thousands of earthquakes, providing insights into the geological processes usually observed underwater. Although the complete separation of the Horn of Africa is millions of years away, current geological changes offer a glimpse into Earth's dynamic nature.

What significant geological event occurred in Afar, Ethiopia, in 2005?

• A landslide

• A massive earthquake

• A volcanic eruption

• A tsunami

What is the process called where tectonic plates pull apart in eastern Africa?

• Subduction

• Transform faulting

• Rifting

• Convergence

Who was the geologist that first studied the Great Rift Valley?

• John Gregory

• Alfred Wegener

• Charles Darwin

• Harry Hess

How many earthquakes of at least magnitude 2.0 were recorded in Ethiopia and Eritrea over two years?

• 5,000

• 1,000

• 3,000

• 7,000

What geological feature is commonly formed at the bottom of the ocean due to magma activity?

• Seafloor ridges

• Ocean trenches

• Coral reefs

• Continental shelves

What was surprising about the rift opening in 2005?

• It was smaller than expected

• It opened gradually over decades

• It caused a massive tsunami

• It cracked open all at once

What will eventually happen to the Horn of Africa due to the rifting process?

• It will sink below sea level

• It will merge with another continent

• It will become a desert

• It will split off and form an island

What is the average rate at which the rift in eastern Africa is widening?

• A few kilometers per year

• A few millimeters per year

• A few centimeters per year

• A few meters per year

How long has the rifting process been occurring in eastern Africa?

• About 100 million years

• About 10 million years

• About 30 million years

• About 1 million years

What natural barrier currently prevents seawater from flooding the Great Rift Valley?

• A dense forest

• A mountain range

• A small piece of higher land

• A desert