Superplume drives tectonic split in East Africa

In recent months, researchers have made a significant discovery regarding East Africa's tectonic activity. A comprehensive analysis of volcanic gases collected from the Menengai geothermal field in central Kenya indicates that a superplume exists beneath East Africa. This project, initiated in 2009 and still ongoing, involved an international team led by Professor Fin Stuart from the University of Glasgow, in collaboration with the Kenya Geothermal Development Company. The research demonstrated that the gases derived from the mantle are chemically similar to those found in Hawaii, suggesting a common deep mantle source fueling geothermal activities. The study notes that the rift valleys present in this region have been shaped by the African tectonic plate's splitting process, which is believed to be driven by forces originating from the Earth's interior. Scientists face challenges in determining whether these geological processes are influenced by shallow mechanisms or whether they stem from hotter material rising from the mantle. The Hawaiian mantle plume serves as a comparative point, highlighting the geological phenomena observed in East Africa. The implications of this research are significant, as the existence of the superplume not only facilitates the tectonic rift but also contributes to the rise of the African continent. This process prevents the rift zones from being flooded by the Red Sea, which has led to notable geological formations such as the Afar Depression. Geophysical surveys have identified a large anomaly in the southern African continent attributed to Low Shear Velocity Provinces composed of hot mantle material, paralleling the geological structures found beneath the Pacific Plate. Ultimately, these findings shed light on the ongoing geological dynamics in East Africa, reaffirming the notion of a superplume acting as a driving force behind both tectonic activity and geothermal energy potential in the region. The publication of these findings in the journal Geophysical Research Letters underscores the collaboration between geoscientists and local energy companies to deepen understanding of Earth processes and harness geothermal resources.