From The BBC:

Secrets of ocean birth laid bare

The largest tear in the Earth’s crust seen in decades, if not centuries, could carve out a new ocean in Africa, according to satellite data.

Geologists say a crack that opened up last year may eventually reach the Red Sea, isolating much of Ethiopia and Eritrea from the rest of Africa.

The 60km-long rift was initially sparked by an earthquake in September.

Follow-up observations reported in the journal Nature suggest the split is growing at an unprecedented rate.

(more here)