Africa is slowly tearing itself apart—and laying the groundwork for a future ocean. Deep beneath the Horn of Africa, powerful tectonic forces are pulling the continent in different directions. In the Afar region, where Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Eritrea meet, three major tectonic plates are separating at a rate of up to about 0.3 inches per year. This process is driven by hot magma rising from Earth’s mantle, thinning the crust and creating fractures, faults, and surface bulges. Over time, this rif

For over 60 years, UNESCO has worked to tell the history of Africa through African voices. Launched in 1964, the General History of Africa brings together the work of more than 550 African and international experts. In 2025, three new volumes join this landmark collection, reaffirming Africa’s central place in world history and making this knowledge accessible to learners around the globe. Learn more about the project: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/unesco-releases-three-new-volumes-its-gene