Gibraltar's submarine shift: ocean's future rewritten by ancient plate motion
Deep beneath the Strait of Gibraltar, a subtle geological process is unfolding – one that could reshape the world's oceans over millions of years. New research suggests the slow dance of tectonic plates in this region might initiate the gradual closure of the Atlantic Ocean.
Ancient collision could trigger atlantic's demise
A study led by geophysicist João C. Duarte at the University of Lisbon, Portugal, details how an ancient plate nestled between the Mediterranean and Atlantic could reactivate, potentially leading to a new subduction zone in the eastern Atlantic. This isn't a sudden collapse, but a slow, geological shift with profound long-term implications.
The Strait of Gibraltar sits where the African and Eurasian tectonic plates collide. This isn't a dramatic, earth-shattering event, but a constant, incremental push and squeeze. Their movement, measured in millimeters per year, creates the familiar geological features we see on the surface – earthquakes, underwater faults, and crustal deformation.
The Gibraltar Arc, a key feature of this tectonic interaction, formed millions of years ago through subduction – one plate diving beneath another. This process is a cornerstone of Earth's dynamic system. The research proposes this arc could slowly propagate into the Atlantic, initiating a new subduction zone and ultimately closing the Atlantic basin — a process that has been unfolding over eons.
Researchers used 3D geodynamic models to simulate this process over millions of years. These models reveal the potential for reactivation, though the system is currently in a relatively quiescent phase. The acceleration of this process could begin in approximately 20 million years.