This ‘Ring of Fire’ Can Swallow the Entire Atlantic Ocean If the Sleeping Subduction Zone Beneath It Awakens
In an astonishing discovery that seems more like the plot of a science-fiction novel than real life, scientists have uncovered a dormant ‘Ring of Fire’ beneath the Gibraltar Strait that has the potential to reshape our world. Recent research by a team from Portugal has thrust the Atlantic Ocean into the spotlight, suggesting that this vast body of water could face an uncertain future if the subduction zone beneath it wakes from its slumber.
Subduction Zone Discovered Beneath Gibraltar Strait: Concerns Raised Over Future of Atlantic Ocean
The Gibraltar Strait, a mere 10-mile gap between Spain and Morocco, serves as the battleground where the Eurasian Plate and the African Plate collide. For about 30 million years, the tectonic plate beneath Africa has been inching its way below the one beneath Eurasia, a process that has already resulted in significant seismic activity. Despite this slow movement, experts like Professor João Duarte from the University of Lisbon warn that the Atlantic may be in the early stages of closure due to this subduction activity.
The current subduction zone below the Gibraltar Strait may seem minor at about 125 miles in length, but it’s what this zone could become that has garnered attention. Through computer simulations, researchers have projected that this zone could expand westwards, eventually forming a new ‘Ring of Fire’ in the Atlantic, a process that could significantly shrink or even close off the Atlantic Ocean over the next 20 million years.
From the Mediterranean into the Atlantic: The Gibraltar Arc Is Migrating West
This phenomenon, dubbed ‘subduction invasion’ by experts, could lead the Atlantic Ocean into uncharted territories. The model developed by researchers portrays this subduction zone extending approximately 500 miles in the future, a leap that will transform the current landscape of the ocean basin. This model mirrors the activities seen in the Pacific Ocean’s Ring of Fire but with implications that could be far-reaching for the geography of the Earth.
While the timeline for these significant geological changes spans millions of years, the concept of the Atlantic Ocean ‘closing up’ introduces a fascinating yet eerie perspective on the dynamic nature of Earth’s tectonic processes. This research not only sheds light on the long-term evolution of ocean basins but also challenges our understanding of the continents’ stability around these water bodies.
Why the Atlantic Ocean May Ultimately Vanish
The groundbreaking study by the University of Lisbon raises the startling possibility that we could witness the gradual disappearance of the Atlantic Ocean. As the subduction zone beneath the Gibraltar Strait awakens and grows, the shrinking of the Atlantic could eventually lead to a dramatic reshaping of the Earth’s surface, with continents merging and oceans vanishing.
While such changes are not expected to occur within our lifetime or even for many generations to come, they remind us of the constant, albeit slow, transformation our planet is undergoing. The discovery of this ‘sleeping’ subduction zone beneath the Gibraltar Strait and its potential impact on the Atlantic Ocean’s future adds yet another layer to the complex and ever-changing geological story of our Earth.
In essence, the Atlantic Ocean’s facing a fiery future in about 20 million years—a timeline that underscores the enduring power and mystery of our planet’s geological forces. As scientists continue to unravel these mysteries, we are reminded of the vast and ancient processes that shape our world, often far beyond the human scale of time and imagination.