Massive subterranean mantle plume could tear East Africa off from rest of the continent

The video discusses how moving lava to the Earth's surface could eventually lead to Africa's disintegration, as suggested by a study in Nature Geoscience. It explains that while volcanoes are often linked to tectonic plate boundaries, mantle plumes can also form volcanoes. A new study reveals a subterranean tree extending from East Africa to Reunion, which may have influenced continental shifts over millions of years. This plume could potentially cause East Africa to split from the continent and trigger catastrophic eruptions in South Africa.

What potential geological event is discussed in the study from the Nature Geoscience journal?

• The formation of a new ocean

• The expansion of the Sahara Desert

• The disintegration of Africa

• The creation of a new mountain range

What is the primary cause of volcano formation according to common understanding?

• Erosion of mountains

• Meteor impacts

• Tectonic plate boundaries

• Ocean currents

How are mantle plumes described in the context of volcano formation?

• As large meteor impacts

• As tectonic plate collisions

• As upwellings of hot rock within the Earth's mantle

• As cold currents in the ocean

What is the significance of the subterranean tree mentioned in the study?

• It is a new type of mineral deposit

• It is a structure extending between East Africa and Reunion

• It is a network of underground rivers

• It is a new species of plant

What future geological event could the mantle plume potentially cause?

• The cooling of the Earth's core

• The splitting of East Africa from the continent

• The merging of continents

• The formation of a new desert