A crack has appeared in Kenya that is thought to be the result of gliding plate tectonics.
Kenya's big crack —
A crack has appeared in Kenya that is thought to be the result of gliding plate tectonics.
THOMAS MUKOYA/REUTERS/Newscom
The crack appeared in the East African Rift that stretches across the region. It stretches over 3,000km from the Gulf of Aden in the north towards Zimbabwe in the south.
Kenya's big crack —
The crack appeared in the East African Rift that stretches across the region. It stretches over 3,000km from the Gulf of Aden in the north towards Zimbabwe in the south.
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In northwestern Kenya, in the East African Rift Valley, there is a volcanic area south of Lake Turkana. The Earth's crust is broken into a number of plates that sometimes glide to form dramatic cracks like the one that recently appeared.
The Rift Valley —
In northwestern Kenya, in the East African Rift Valley, there is a volcanic area south of Lake Turkana. The Earth's crust is broken into a number of plates that sometimes glide to form dramatic cracks like the one that recently appeared.
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The valley also has volcanism and seismic activity. In the Rift Valley, Tanzania, Lengai is the only active natriumcarbonatite volcano in the world, this lava is liquid like water.
Volcanic valleys —
The valley also has volcanism and seismic activity. In the Rift Valley, Tanzania, Lengai is the only active natriumcarbonatite volcano in the world, this lava is liquid like water.
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Rifts are the beginning phase of a continental breakup.
The Rift Valley —
Rifts are the beginning phase of a continental breakup.
Jean-Denis JOUBERT/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
The seismic activity in the East African Rift Valley is of relatively small magnitude.
Tanzania's Rift Valley —
The seismic activity in the East African Rift Valley is of relatively small magnitude.
Jean-Denis JOUBERT/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
The East African Rift Valley extends to Ethiopia.
Sunset in the valley —
The East African Rift Valley extends to Ethiopia.
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There are many ancient geological formations that can be found in the valley.
Archaeological findings —
There are many ancient geological formations that can be found in the valley.
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The Great Rift Valley is home to spectacular landscapes.
The Great Rift Valley —
The Great Rift Valley is home to spectacular landscapes.
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