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East Africa

All articles tagged with #east africa

science26 days ago•37 min saved

East Africa Rift Could Split the Continent, Forming a New Ocean, Study Finds

Scientists say the Turkana Rift in East Africa is nearing a final breakup that could eventually separate the eastern part of Africa from the rest of the continent and create a new ocean. Using seismic data, researchers show the region is further along in continental rifting than previously thought, with early oceanic crust forming near Afar; the process began millions of years ago and, if it continues, could occur over a few million years, reshaping Africa’s geography and tying into the region’s rich fossil record.

via Yahoo|

#africa-breakup #continental-rifting #east-africa

science27 days ago•5 min saved

East Africa Rift Thinning Points to a Possible New Ocean

Seismic data reveal the Turkana Rift in East Africa is thinning far more than previously thought, with the crust at the rift center about 13 km thick compared with well over 35 km away, signaling an advanced necking stage toward eventual continental breakup and ocean formation. The process began millions of years ago and will take millions more to unfold, while subsidence and sedimentation here also help preserve an unusually rich fossil record, influencing interpretations of human evolution and past climates.

via SciTechDaily|

#continental-breakup #east-africa #geology

business2 months ago•7 min saved

East Africa's largest media group changes hands as billionaire owner faces scrutiny over press freedom

Rostam Aziz’s Taarifa Ltd has acquired a controlling 54% stake in Nation Media Group, making him East Africa’s largest media owner; regulators must approve the deal, critics warn that his political ties could influence coverage, while Aziz pledges editorial independence and investors welcomed the move as a boost to digital investment, with NMG shares rallying in Nairobi.

via BBC|

#business #east-africa #media-ownership

science2 months ago•4 min saved

Digital Face of Little Foot Reframes Early Human Migration

Using high-resolution skull scans and synchrotron imaging, researchers digitally reconstructed Little Foot’s face, revealing Australopithecus traits and surprising East Africa similarities that could reflect ancient migration patterns; future work will model teeth and braincase to deepen understanding of diet and brain development.

via The Daily Galaxy|

#australopithecus #east-africa #facial-reconstruction

planet-earth4 months ago•55 min saved

Drying climate accelerates East Africa’s Rift

New research links the shift from humid to dry conditions in East Africa with faster fault movement in the East African Rift, measured at about 0.17 millimeters per year of extra movement on top of the regional 6.35 millimeters per year baseline. The dewatering of lakes after the African Humid Period reduces crustal pressure, while a nearby magma chamber may receive more melt, increasing tectonic activity around Lake Turkana and potentially accelerating continental breakup; scientists are expanding the study to Lake Malawi for broader climate-tectonics insight.

via Live Science|

#climate-change #east-africa #east-african-rift

paleontology5 months ago•54 min saved

Ethiopian Fossil Finds Illuminate Human Evolution and Migration

A new reconstruction of the DAN5/P1 cranium from Gona, Ethiopia, reveals a unique combination of early Homo and H. erectus features, suggesting complex population structure and evolution in African Homo during the Early Pleistocene, with implications for understanding the emergence of H. erectus.

via Nature|

#cranial-morphology #dan5p1 #east-africa

science6 months ago•4 min saved

Continent Divides as Rift Forms, New Ocean Emerges

The African continent is undergoing a significant geological transformation as tectonic forces are splitting the landmass along the Great Rift Valley, potentially leading to the formation of a new ocean, with ongoing seismic activity and plate movements providing valuable insights into Earth's geological processes.

via Evidence Network|

#african-rift #east-africa #geological-activity

science9 months ago•2 min saved

Ethiopian Fossils Uncover New Human Ancestor Species

Researchers discovered fossils of a new human-like species, Ledi-Geraru Australopithecus, dating back 2.6 to 2.8 million years in Ethiopia, suggesting multiple hominin lineages coexisted in East Africa, challenging the linear view of human evolution.

via Gizmodo|

#australopithecus #east-africa #fossils

science9 months ago•2 min saved

Ancient Ethiopian Fossils Uncover New Insights into Human Evolution

Researchers in Ethiopia discovered fossils of a previously unknown human species from about 2.65 million years ago, coexisting with early Homo species, indicating a complex and overlapping human evolutionary history in East Africa.

via Business Insider Africa|

#australopithecus #east-africa #fossil-discovery

health1 year ago•1 min saved

First Severe Mpox Strain Detected in U.S., California Reports Case

A more severe strain of mpox, known as clade I, has been detected in the U.S. for the first time, with a case confirmed in California. The patient contracted the disease after traveling from East Africa, where there is an ongoing outbreak. The CDC states that the strain poses a low risk to the general public, advising against close contact with infected individuals and recommending vaccination for those eligible. Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is a zoonotic disease endemic to Central and West Africa.

via NPR|

#cdc #clade-i #east-africa

world-news2 years ago•0 min saved

"Reflecting on Rwanda: 30 Years After the Genocide"

Three decades after the genocide, Rwanda has made significant progress in rebuilding its society, but the scars of the past still linger. The country has focused on reconciliation and development, with efforts to promote unity and economic growth, but challenges remain as it continues to heal from the trauma of the genocide.

via NPR|

#east-africa #genocide #reconciliation

international-relations2 years ago•0 min saved

"Sudan's IGAD Membership Suspension and Regional Tensions: A Threat to Horn of Africa Stability"

Sudan has suspended its membership in the East African regional bloc, IGAD, accusing it of violating the country's sovereignty by inviting RSF chief to a summit. The announcement was made by the foreign ministry loyal to army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, amid the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF paramilitary group. The government had already frozen its relations with IGAD and accused the bloc of setting a dangerous precedent. IGAD, along with the US and Saudi Arabia, had attempted to mediate between the warring parties without success.

via Al Jazeera English|

#abdel-fattah-al-burhan #east-africa #igad

politics2 years ago•5 min saved

Tshisekedi's Potential War Declaration and Congo's Chaotic Election Process

Incumbent President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has threatened to declare war on Rwanda if re-elected, accusing them of backing the M23 rebel group. Tensions between the two countries have been escalating, with the DRC blaming Rwanda for the violence in its volatile east. While some analysts believe Tshisekedi's rhetoric is aimed at gaining more votes, experts warn that such strong language could have severe consequences and destabilize East Africa. The DRC has a history of instability and conflict, and efforts to end the war have so far been unsuccessful.

via Al Jazeera English|

#democratic-republic-of-the-congo #east-africa #felix-tshisekedi

health2 years ago•1 min saved

Anthrax Outbreaks Claim Lives in East and Southern Africa

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported anthrax outbreaks in five East and Southern African countries, including Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, resulting in over 1,100 suspected cases and 20 deaths this year. While these countries experience seasonal outbreaks annually, Zambia is currently facing its worst outbreak since 2011, and Malawi has reported its first human case this year. The outbreaks are likely driven by various factors, including climatic shocks, food insecurity, low-risk perception, and exposure to infected animals. WHO has warned of a high risk of the Zambian outbreak spreading to neighboring countries.

via Africanews English|

#anthrax #east-africa #health

paleontology2 years ago•2 min saved

"Unearthing Miocene Fossils: A Glimpse into Southern East African Rift's Coastal Woodlands"

The first Miocene mammal fossils have been discovered in the Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique, providing valuable insights into the evolution of African ecosystems and the hominin lineage. The findings include fossil teeth, radiometric dates for the geological formation, reconstructions of paleovegetation, and a diverse range of fossils, including a new species of giant hyraxes. This discovery sheds light on a previously paleontologically empty region and is part of an international scientific collaboration aimed at protecting biodiversity and promoting local development.

via Phys.org|

#african-ecosystems #east-africa #gorongosa-national-park