Rhythmic pulsing deep beneath landlocked east Africa is literally tearing the continent apart. But while the effects won’t arrive on the planet’s surface for a while, the end result is an entirely new ocean basin above it.

It is gradually tearing the continent apart, forming a new ocean. The scientists collected more than 130 volcanic rock samples from across the Afar region and the Main Ethiopian Rift. They also used existing data and advanced statistical modelling to probe the structure of the crust and mantle.