East African Rift Valley Flashcards
(25 cards)
What is the East African Rift Valley?
A tectonic plate boundary that is splitting the African continent into two parts.
What type of boundary is the East African Rift?
Constructive/divergent
Which three tectonic plates are involved in the formation of the East African Rift?
The Nubian Plate and the Somali Plate and the Arabian plate
How long is the East African Rift valley?
6,400 km
What type of geological features are commonly found in the East African Rift?
Volcanoes and rift valleys.
Name one major lake located in the East African Rift.
Lake Victoria.
What is the highest mountain in Africa located near the East African Rift?
Mount Kilimanjaro.
What is the primary cause of the rifting in the East African Rift?
The tectonic forces that pull the African Plate apart.
What is the significance of the East African Rift for biodiversity?
It provides unique habitats and ecosystems that support diverse flora and fauna.
What is one impact of the East African Rift on human settlements?
It influences agriculture and access to water resources.
True or False: The East African Rift is a site of frequent seismic activity.
True
What major geological event occurs in the East African Rift?
Earthquakes.
Which lake is known for its high salinity and is located in the East African Rift?
Lake Turkana
What is the geological age of the East African Rift?
It began forming around 25 million years ago.
True or False: The East African Rift is expected to eventually split the African continent into two separate landmasses.
True
What type of volcanic activity is common in the East African Rift?
Stratovolcanoes and shield volcanoes.
What role does the East African Rift play in climate patterns?
It affects local weather patterns and rainfall distribution.
Which species is often associated with the Lake Victoria region in the East African Rift?
Nile crocodile
What is the relationship between the East African Rift and the Great Lakes?
The rift has formed several large lakes, including Lake Victoria, Lake Tanganyika, and Lake Malawi.
How high is Mount Kilimanjaro?
5,895 metres
What countries does the East African Rift go through?
Ethiopia down to Mozambique (Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, etc)
What is an example of a volcano? Give height and where
Ol Odinyo Lengai, Tanzania, 2,962 metres
When did Lengai erupt?
4th September 2007, 3km high ash column, 300 metre wide crater and continued into 2018, forced evacuations of 3 villages
How long ago was the East African rift valley formed?
22-25 million years ago
