The Great Rift Valley is being formed by tectonic plates that are pulling away from each other. What would we expect eastern Africa to look like tens of millions of years in the future as a result of this activity?

Question

A.
A large mountain range will be created along the rift.
B.
Eastern Africa will continue to move closer to South America.
C.
A sea will split the eastern coast of Africa from the rest of the continent.
D.
The continent will look about the same.

Please select the best answer from the choices provided
A
B
C
D

Answer 1

The best answer is:

C. A sea will split the eastern coast of Africa from the rest of the continent.

As the tectonic plates continue to pull apart, it is expected that a rift valley will continue to widen, and eventually, this may lead to the formation of a new ocean basin, effectively splitting the eastern coast of Africa from the rest of the continent.