Geography
How Mantle Plumes Drive Continental Rift Zones
Quick fact
The Afar region in East Africa, where three rift arms meet, is a classic example of a continent being torn apart by a mantle plume—and it's so active that scientists can measure the ground moving in real time.
Why this is interesting
Continents seem permanent, but deep beneath them, giant rising fountains of hot rock can crack them apart. The process starts with a bulge—and ends with a new ocean.