A Rift Valley Forms Where the Earth Pulls Apart
A rift is a crack or split. In geology it names a valley formed by stretching crust.
A rift is a crack or split, and figuratively a serious breach between people. In geology it is precise: a rift valley forms where continental crust is being pulled apart, so the floor drops between parallel faults. The East African Rift is doing this now, and in perhaps ten million years the sea will flood in and Africa will have a new coastline. The word is Old Norse *ript*, a breach, related to *rive*, to tear apart.
- A crack. *A rift in the rock.*
- A breach between people. *A rift in the party.*
- A rift valley. *The East African Rift.*
- Rive — to tear. *To rive.*
- Old Norse — *ript*, a breach. *The source.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | rift | A rift. |
| Plural | rifts | Rifts. |
| Compound | rift valley | A rift valley. |
| Related | rive | To rive. |
| Old Norse | ript | A breach. |
- A rift opened in the ice.Crack.
- The rift between them grew.Figurative.
- The East African Rift is active.Geology.
How a rift valley forms
- Crust stretches and thins over a rising plume of hot mantle
- Parallel faults develop on either side
- The block between them drops, forming a flat-floored valley
- Volcanoes often appear along the edges
- If stretching continues, the sea floods in and an ocean begins
Old Norse *ript*, a breach, related to *rifa*, to tear, and to English *rive*.
What is a rift valley?
A valley formed where crust is pulled apart and the floor drops between parallel faults, as in East Africa.
Will the East African Rift become an ocean?
If the stretching continues, yes. In roughly ten million years the sea is expected to flood in.