Rhythmic pulses of molten rock are reshaping eastern Africa, according to a groundbreaking study published on June 25, 2025. Researchers have discovered that a pulsing plume of hot mantle beneath Ethiopia is driving tectonic activity, slowly splitting the region and forming a new ocean near the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.
- Molten rock pulses beneath eastern Africa.
- New ocean forming near Gulf of Aden.
- Deep mantle upwellings affect surface volcanism.
- Chemical signatures indicate rhythmic mantle activity.
- Thicker lithosphere impedes mantle flow.
- Future studies will explore mantle flow rates.
Led by Earth scientists from the University of Southampton, the study reveals that the evolution of these deep mantle upwellings is closely linked to the movement of tectonic plates above. This finding has significant implications for understanding surface volcanism and earthquake activity in the region.
This discovery raises important questions about how mantle plumes interact with tectonic plates. How do these interactions influence volcanic activity? The researchers found that the chemical composition of the mantle plume varies, suggesting different responses based on the thickness of the lithosphere above it. Key points include:
- The plume’s rhythmic pulses resemble a heartbeat.
- Thicker lithospheres impede mantle flow, resulting in condensed chemical striping.
- Thinner lithospheres allow for more spread-out striping.
Future research in the Afar region will focus on the rate of mantle flow beneath the tectonic plates, paving the way for deeper insights into Earth’s geological processes and their implications for human safety.
