In this new study, scientists from the US, Portugal, and Madagascar tested new GPS data on very precise surface motions in eastern Africa, Madagascar, and several islands in the Indian Ocean using computer models. They found that the East African rift extension covers an area that is about 600 kilometers wide, spanning from eastern Africa to whole parts of Madagascar.

The Madagascar islands sit across two tectonic plates: the Somali plate to the north and the Lwandle microplate to the south. It was found that Madagascar is actively breaking up with southern Madagascar moving with the Lwandle microplate—a small tectonic block, while a piece of eastern and south-central Madagascar moving with the Somali plate—a far larger plate. The rest of the island was found to be breaking up into several different shapes and sizes.

A red-fronted brown lemur is seen at the Kirindy forest reserve near the city of Morondava, Madagascar,
A red-fronted brown lemur is seen at the Kirindy forest reserve near the city of Morondava, Madagascar,
Image: REUTERS/Baz Ratner

Mostly because of the island’s isolation from the rest of the world nearly 88 million years ago, some 90% of all plant and animal species found in Madagascar are native to the island. In fact, up to 80% of all plant species found there can only be found on the island. It’s what makes Madagascar so attractive to visit both for scientists and ecological tourists.

While studies have shown the African continent and now the Madagascar island is actively splitting or breaking apart to form a new continent, ocean, or island, this is not happening anytime soon. This is because the rifting process which began millions of years ago is happening very slowly at about 7 millimeters annually so would take 5 million to 10 million years for a new ocean or continent to be formed.

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