Earth Split in Half? No, It’s Not a Sci-Fi Movie. Scientists from the National Science Foundation have discovered the existence of extensive underwater faults, which, combined with the planet’s constant movement due to the lithosphere and increasingly frequent natural disasters, could lead to a planetary split. According to a study, the problem lies in the fact that the Indian and Eurasian plates have the same density, and their collision could result in one of them splitting in two. If this happens, the sea would break Earth’s structure, creating a new ocean.
The End of the World Is Coming! The Earth Split in Half Is a Reality, According to Science
Though it might sound apocalyptic (something humanity is no stranger to in 2024), scientists have discovered that this rupture could change the geography of the planet, as it is the largest fissure in our world. The scientists indicated that a particular phenomenon is already occurring in the Himalayan range, in Tibet, which could trigger the worst outcome, due to the lithosphere and increasingly frequent natural disasters like earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions.
These events impact the planet’s surface layer, and when combined with the underwater faults, they create fragmentation in the deeper part of the Earth. Unlike typical vertical breaks, this fault is horizontal. The fault could extend far beyond Asia, potentially for over 6,000 kilometers from the Red Sea in the north to Mozambique in the south, crossing 11 countries: Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, and Somalia.
The SRAO was formed by the divergence of the African, Somali, and Nubian tectonic plates. This process started around 30 million years ago and continues today, at a rate of 2.5 to 5 centimeters per year. As the plates separate, the Earth’s crust thins and sinks, creating a series of valleys, lakes, volcanoes, and mountains. This explains why there are more volcanic or mountain appearances, as well as more frequent marine deviations or volcanic activity.
When Could the Earth Split in Half?
Scientists estimate that within 50 million years, this crack will completely divide into two, creating a new ocean and, consequently, a change in the future geography, leading to an Earth split in half. Though there’s a long time to go, when this event occurs, it would also mean a total disaster for the people or habitats that still exist in those countries, as the separation of land is no trivial matter.
This story was written in Spanish by Perla Vallejo in Ecoosfera.
