Scientists Reveal Rhythmic Deep Earth Pulses Beneath Africa’s Rift Zones
Recent research conducted by Earth scientists at the University of Southampton has uncovered evidence of rhythmic pulses of molten mantle material rising from deep within the Earth's interior beneath the African continent.
These pulses are associated with a mantle plume beneath the Afar region in Ethiopia and are influencing the rifting process that is gradually splitting the continent and forming a new ocean basin.
The study, published in Nature Geoscience, shows that these mantle pulses have distinct chemical signatures and are modulated by the dynamics of overlying tectonic plates.
Using over 130 volcanic rock samples and advanced modeling techniques, researchers identified an asymmetric, pulsating mantle plume with chemical patterns that vary across the rift system.
The findings suggest that the deep mantle dynamics are strongly coupled with surface tectonic activity, leading to volcanic and seismic phenomena that shape the Earth's surface.
This discovery enhances our understanding of how deep Earth processes influence continental breakup and the formation of oceanic basins, highlighting the complex interaction between the Earth's interior and surface.
