Africa splits

March 16, 2006 6:19 AM

Africa splits (Geographically speaking). Take a look at the photos, they are breathtaking.
posted by dov3 (27 comments total)

Wow, this is pretty groundbreaking.




sorry, couldn't help myself
posted by craven_morhead at 6:39 AM on March 16, 2006

Absolutely fecking amazing. Great post.
posted by MrMustard at 6:43 AM on March 16, 2006

Oh, and, hehehehe, they said 'horn'.
posted by MrMustard at 6:44 AM on March 16, 2006

Yipee, new beach front property!
posted by Goofyy at 6:45 AM on March 16, 2006

AFRICA GETS DOWN WITH BAD SELF, SHAKES DJIBOUTI
posted by Faint of Butt at 6:53 AM on March 16, 2006

Woah. More rift lakes like the ones all the cool fishes come from.
posted by GuyZero at 6:55 AM on March 16, 2006

Very nice pictures indeed! It still looks pretty dry to be an ocean in the forming, though.

Also: FOB, heh heh.
posted by OmieWise at 6:57 AM on March 16, 2006

And only 10 million years 'til the Horn is gone! better book your tickets now!
posted by illovich at 7:00 AM on March 16, 2006

"And then it happened: the Earth split open. Crevices began racing toward the researchers like a zipper opening up."

That must have been astounding to see.

and

"During the months that followed, hundreds of further crevices opened up in the ground, spreading across an area of 345 square miles."

wow.

and from a blog connected to the link you posted:

"Around eight million people are on the brink of starvation in the Horn of Africa due to severe drought, crop failure and depletions of livestock..."
posted by nickyskye at 7:24 AM on March 16, 2006

Bubbling magma and the smell of sulphur

It's the End Times, man! Repent, while you still can!
posted by malaprohibita at 7:24 AM on March 16, 2006

Wait. Are you saying that these Africans have a crack problem?
posted by ColdChef at 7:30 AM on March 16, 2006

and then it happened: the Earth split open. Crevices began racing toward the researchers like a zipper opening up.

And from that crevice the Earth's mighty prow was loosed - rocketing forth high above the horizon. And lo, as the terrified scientists gazed into the heavens, the planet Venus descended, legs wide and willing, making ready to alight upon the mighty spire of th-

Man that is some fucked up fan-fiction waiting to happen right there.
posted by Ryvar at 7:40 AM on March 16, 2006

If only the blue states on the west coast and new england could do the same.
posted by crunchland at 7:50 AM on March 16, 2006

I want them to name it The Djbouti Crack.
posted by fandango_matt at 7:54 AM on March 16, 2006

Fantastic stuff. Is this the same region that was featured in the most recent Planet Earth documentary on BBC?
posted by swordfishtrombones at 7:55 AM on March 16, 2006

Great story, excellents pics.
Thanks dov3.

Now, I want to see an animation of the whole event in slowmo.
posted by bru at 8:13 AM on March 16, 2006

Way nifty. Can we speed this up though, please? I don't have 10 million years and I want to see the seawater rush in.
posted by elendil71 at 8:15 AM on March 16, 2006

Wow indeed. Thanks for the post.

And what elendil71 said.
posted by languagehat at 8:38 AM on March 16, 2006

Africa splits (Geographically speaking).

Wouldn't geologically be more correct?
posted by Witty at 8:50 AM on March 16, 2006

Wow, incredible. Great post.
posted by arcticwoman at 8:50 AM on March 16, 2006

truly fascinating! Thanks, dov3.
posted by Alpenglow at 9:23 AM on March 16, 2006

Witty, I guess both are correct, Geographically Africa will be divided, and Geologically because it is something to do with the movement of tectonic plates.
posted by dov3 at 9:50 AM on March 16, 2006

Ryvar wins.
posted by joecacti at 10:39 AM on March 16, 2006

Nifty post
posted by Smedleyman at 12:03 PM on March 16, 2006

This line could have broad applications:

"...with staggering speed -- at least by geological standards"
posted by Faze at 1:23 PM on March 16, 2006

Man that is some fucked up fan-fiction waiting to happen right there.

Err... waiting?

*encrypts all plaintext on HD, removes HD from computer and hides it under his bed*
posted by loquacious at 4:48 PM on March 16, 2006

How a valley forms. (vintage German film clip.)
posted by nickyskye at 5:31 AM on March 17, 2006