Natural disasters, as the name implies, are phenomena that are part of nature. However, even though there are technologies to predict them, some events can be very dangerous and seriously affect the population. That's what happened in Africa recently with the appearance of the great rift. Find out more details below.
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How did the great rift in Africa come about?
With 30 million km² and occupying 20.3% of the Earth's total area, the Africa recently it was the cradle of the discovery of the new natural phenomenon. Check out:
Location of the big rift?
The crack, recently found, is part of the Great Rift Valley in Kenya, east of Africa. According to National Geographic, tectonic plates are located in this region.
the natural phenomenon
The local newspaper Daily Nation said that the large fissure is the result of intense movements of tectonic plates in the interior of the Earth. At critical points, cracks 15 meters deep and more than 20 meters wide were recorded.
the victims
Families living near the fissure had to leave their homes. A 72-year-old woman was having dinner the day the earth began to split under her feet, so for her, staying in one place is like waiting for death.
the fear spreads
After weeks of rain, flooding and tremors, another crack appeared in the main road of Mai Matou city. One couple had to ask their neighbors for help when their house became unstable and had to be demolished.
rift history
Geologist David Adele said the rift has a history of tectonic activity and that it was previously filled by volcanic ash. But heavy rains made the situation worse, exposing the cracks.
zones of weakness
Earth mass shifts happen because the layer above the core is divided by plates sliding over the mantle. In this way, zones of weakness appear, fissures filled, generally, by volcanic ash.
temporary solution
The cracks that affected the roads have been filled in with a mixture of stones and concrete and are ready to be used as roads again. No other solution was given for the fissures that reached the victims' homes.
The projections
Researchers have noted that the fault will split Africa into two continents tens of millions of years from now. The separation of tectonic plates will be the initial stage of the continental breakup that will form a new ocean.
