A recent study conducted by scientists in Portugal has raised concerns regarding the future state of the Atlantic Ocean. This study identifies a subduction zone, termed the ‘Ring of Fire’, beneath the Gibraltar Strait, between Spain and Morocco, which could potentially lead to the ocean’s closure.
Subduction Zones and Their Implications
- Definition of Subduction Zones: Subduction zones are regions where tectonic plates interact, with one plate descending beneath another.
- Geological Implications: These zones are associated with significant seismic activity and can have profound geological implications.
Current Situation and Predictions
- Location of Subduction Zone: Currently located beneath the Gibraltar Strait, the subduction zone marks the convergence of the Eurasian Plate and the African Plate.
- Predictions for Expansion: Over the next 20 million years, experts predict the expansion of this subduction zone westwards, potentially leading to the shrinking of the Atlantic Ocean basin.
Subduction Activity and Ocean Closure
- Warning by Researchers: Professor João Duarte, leading the study at the University of Lisbon, warns that the Atlantic may be in the early stages of closure due to subduction activity.
- Phenomenon of Subduction Invasion: Despite its current size, experts believe the subduction zone beneath the Gibraltar Strait could grow and extend into other parts of the ocean, a phenomenon known as ‘subduction invasion’.
Model Predictions and ‘Ring of Fire’
- Modeling Results: Computer simulations trace the evolution of the subduction zone from its formation to potential future development.
- Formation of the ‘Ring of Fire’: The model indicates the formation of a new Atlantic subduction system, similar to the Pacific Ocean’s ‘Ring of Fire’, gradually pulling the ocean floor beneath the continents and closing the ocean basin.
Study Conclusions and Implications
- Findings: Published in the journal Geology, the study suggests the possibility of the Atlantic Ocean ‘closing up’ in the distant future.
- Significance: While the timeline spans millions of years, the implications could be significant for the planet’s geological landscape.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What is a subduction zone?
- A) A region where two tectonic plates move apart
- B) A region where two tectonic plates interact, with one plate diving below another
- C) A region where two tectonic plates slide past each other
- D) A region where tectonic plates collide head-on
- Where is the current subduction zone identified in the study located?
- A) Pacific Ocean
- B) Mediterranean Sea
- C) Gibraltar Strait
- D) Indian Ocean
- What term is used to describe the potential expansion of the subduction zone into other parts of the ocean?
- A) Tectonic drift
- B) Ocean convergence
- C) Subduction invasion
- D) Seismic expansion
- What is the predicted future development of the subduction zone according to the study’s model?
- A) Eastward expansion
- B) Formation of a new ocean
- C) Westward expansion, forming a ‘Ring of Fire’
- D) Subduction zone disappearance
- What is the significance of the study’s findings for the planet’s geological landscape?
- A) Short-term changes in ocean currents
- B) Increased volcanic activity
- C) Long-term closure of the Atlantic Ocean
- D) Formation of new continents