The Africa plates moving toward the Eurasian plate at a rate of a few centimeter per year. how might this area change in 100 million years ?
To predict how the area might change in 100 million years, we can consider the concept of plate tectonics and the movement of the Africa and Eurasian plates. While it is challenging to precisely forecast geological changes over such a long timeframe, we can make some general assumptions based on the current understanding of plate movements.
1. Continued Convergent Movement: If the Africa plate continues to move towards the Eurasian plate at its current rate, it will likely result in the ongoing collision and convergence of the two plates. This type of plate boundary is characterized by intense tectonic activity such as earthquakes and the formation of mountain ranges.
2. Mountain Building: The convergence of the Africa and Eurasian plates has already resulted in the formation of the Alps and the Mediterranean region. Over the next 100 million years, this process could continue, potentially leading to the creation of new mountain ranges or the further uplift of existing ones.
3. Ocean Closure and Continental Collision: As the plates continue to converge, the oceanic crust between them will be subject to subduction, a process where one plate is forced beneath the other. This may lead to the closure of existing oceans, such as the Mediterranean Sea, and the eventual collision of the Africa and Eurasian continents.
4. Formation of New Tectonic Features: The ongoing plate convergence and collision can result in the formation of new tectonic features, such as volcanic arcs, rift valleys, or transform faults. These features can modify the landscape significantly over geologic timescales.
It's important to note that the Earth's geological processes are complex, and many factors can influence the outcome over such a vast time span. New scientific discoveries and refinements in plate tectonic theories may affect our understanding of the specific changes that could occur in this area.