Stop 1: East Africa Rift Valley

Hey blog readers! I am now in Africa, wow its really hot here compared to back home. I am here at the east Africa rift valley at the sight of a divergent boundary. This rift valley runs from Northern Syria to central Mozambique in south eastern Africa. Wow. Isn't that huge!! This is exactly where I am: 

Photo From: http://www.energyandcapital.com/articles/deals-profits-east-africa/1256

I've learned divergent boundary is between two lithospheric plates that are moving apart. When these plates move apart they create a rift valley that runs along the entire mid-ocean ridge. When the plates move apart, they obviously will leave a gap. But, how does that gap get filled? Well the answer is that when plates move apart magma from the inner layers of the earth go up through the gap and cool, creating new rock to fill the gap. This happens because magma or lava is just liquid rock so when it cools and becomes a solid it is a new hard rock! Here is a picture diagram of what that looks like:

Photo From: http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/plates3.html

Here in Africa this is really pretty and the view of this divergent boundary is really epic. When you get the chance, or you happen to be in Africa you should for sure check it out. It is cool and you get to learn some science while your at it! Our next stop is south america, wish me a safe flight!!

Longitude & Latitude: 4° 48' S / 29° 47' E