Turkana Rift: crust thinning signals continent on the brink of breakup
A Nature Communications study shows the Turkana Rift’s crust has thinned dramatically (to about 12.7 km near the axis), marking necking—the advanced stage of continental breakup. While not imminent on human timescales, this process helps explain the region’s unusually rich fossil record of early humans and highlights how tectonics can shape both landscapes and the preservation of ancient life.