Scientists Warn New Ocean on Earth is Forming: Can You Name the 5 We Already Have?

It sounds like a trick question when someone asks if we could ever get a new ocean again when we already have the Southern Ocean as the newest ocean on Earth. But the answer is right beneath our feet. Yes, there is a new ocean slowly but steadily forming under our feet. 

But the real question is where? Geoscientists have observed that the Turkana Rift in East Africa is thinning at an unusual rate due to the tectonic forces pulling the landmass apart. This natural phenomenon is going to give us a sixth major water body on Earth. 

Before this future sea permanently redraws our world maps it is a perfect time to test your memory. Let’s see if you can actually name our current five oceans. Even if you can’t then stay with us to learn all about both the existing five oceans and a newly forming sea on our planet. 

How the Sixth Ocean is Forming on Earth

The breakup of Africa as a continent into two is happening due to the movement of tectonic plates away from each other. Note that tectonic plates are huge solid rocks which are like any irregularly shaped slabs that form the outermost layer of Earth. 

Right now the African continent sits on two major sub-plates which are drifting apart- 

1. a bigger Nubian plate to the west, and

2. the smaller Somali plate to the east of Africa. 

The Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory claims that these plates are moving apart at a steady rate of 4.7 millimeters per year. It means we can witness the African continent split into two over millions of years. 

Once the tear between the plates widens the waters of the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean will eventually flood the split we would be referring to as the sixth ocean on the Earth. 

List of the Current 5 Oceans on Earth 

Before this future ocean basin changes global maps forever the planet remains divided into five officially recognized major oceans. 

And in case you struggled to name them all you aren't alone especially since the National Geographic Society only officially recognised the fourth one on this list of oceans below in 2021!

Newest Ocean on Earth. (Photo Credit: National Geographic)

The phrase breaking apart for any continent may sound sudden and terrifying but always remember that geological time moves much slower than human time. Hence, the complete separation of Africa and the birth of a new ocean will take another 5 to 10 million years.

And when the split finally concludes it will completely transform global geography. Currently landlocked nations like Uganda and Zambia will suddenly inherit expansive coastlines. 

Meanwhile a big chunk of East Africa, including modern-day Somalia, parts of Kenya, Ethiopia, and Tanzania, will drift out into the sea. Maybe even forming a completely new island sub-continent or continent as a matter of fact.