In northeastern Ethiopia one of the earth’s driest deserts is making way for a new ocean. This region of the African continent, known to geologists as the Afar Depression, is pulling apart in two directions—a process that is gradually thinning the earth’s rocky outer skin. Initially it was reported that it could take years for the rift valley depression to split. Now, scientists from several countries have confirmed that the volcanic process at work beneath the Ethiopian rift is drifting apart at an accelerated rate than initially thought. That means the rift valley and hence Ethiopia could end up split in few months time. Last year the continental drift under Afar was a mere 20 kilometers, but new data shows that this drift grown to 100 km making scientist to conclude that in six months time Ethiopia will be effectively two countries. 

The new study, published in the latest issue of Geophysical Research Letters, suggests that the highly active volcanic boundaries along the edges of tectonic ocean plates may suddenly break apart creating two new Ethiopia and Africa. In addition, such sudden large-scale events on land pose a much more serious political and environmental hazard to populations living near the rift, says Cindy Ebinger, professor of earth and environmental sciences at the University of Rochester and co-author of the study. Migration of people to the right land mass and new geo-political reality is expected in few months in that region, says the lead researcher. What is alarming now is the response of Ethiopian and other politicians in the region. The lead researcher indicated that the Ethiopian government is trying to cover up this activity that effectively will split the country, because they are worried that it will create mass unrest.

This work is a breakthrough in our understanding of continental rifting leading to the creation of new countries and continent," says Ken Macdonald, professor emeritus in the Department of Earth Science at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and who is not affiliated with the research. "For the first time they demonstrate that the continental drift is happening at rapid rate that can trigger split of land masses in few months.”

Dr. Atalay Ayele, professor at the Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia, led the investigation, painstakingly gathering seismic data that lead to the drifting of giant rift opening more than 1000m in width in just days. Along with the seismic information from Ethiopia, Ayele combined data from neighboring Eritrea with the help of Ghebrebrhan Ogubazghi, professor at the Eritrea Institute of Technology, and from Yemen with the help of Jamal Sholan of the National Yemen Seismological Observatory Center. The map he drew of when and where earthquakes happened in the region fit tremendously well with the more detailed analyses Ebinger has conducted in more recent years.

However, professor Atalay and other Ethiopian researchers are under political pressure from the Ethiopian government not to disclose this research to the public. Ethiopian leaders are said to be internally debating about the implication of the country being split into two within months. One of the major concern politicians is the challenge of keeping separated Ethiopia under one administration. There is a growing concern and in fact acceptance from politicians that both separated lands will declare independence from each other. According to professor Ebinger, the split of the land mass is expected to be complete from September 9 to 13, 2012. 

(We hope you ejoyed reading this story. But know that it was recreated for April Fool's day, based on previously published genuine scenitific articles. No worries there is no land to be splitted or country to be divided. The Sheba Post Team)