New Study Reveals Surprising Deformation in Earth's Crust

A new study combining computer models with GPS satellite data has found that the African Superplume, a massive upwelling of hot mantle from deep within our planet, is responsible for the anomalous northward deformation parallel to the East African Rift (EAR). The same African Superplume is likely responsible for some of the seismic anisotropy occurring beneath the EAR. As the lithosphere stretches thinner, we're going to see more earthquakes and breaking rock structures across the region.