Carbon causes continents to crack up

We know that atmospheric carbon dioxide can heat the planet, and sink the coastline, but it can only scratch the surface of its effects on the planet. New research suggests that continents may also be disintegrating – in fact it seems to be easing Africa’s gradual tectonic divorce right now. Volcanoes can emit large
amounts of carbon dioxide along with all other substances in their saliva, although, in contrast to a broader myth, the amounts expressed in modern times are much lower than in human activity. Volcanoes in the African Rift Valley are particularly carbon-intensive, a discovery that scientists have conducted long investigations to understand why. Lifts involve the division of a craton, the oldest and most stable part of a continental plate. Tobias Fischer, a professor at the University of New Mexico, suggested that carbon dioxide should be released from
the craton base, where it has been stored for millions of years. The model suggests that this accumulated carbon arises from the absorption of marine plates and deep mantle plumes, Fisher said in a statement.

However, when Fisher expressed this idea, he could not explain how the gases buried under so many rocks could go to the surface. Fisher now thinks that he has answered this question with a new paper nature and that his solution could explain the formation of continental cracks. The key to understanding the
difference is the Tanzanian volcano Oldonino Lengai, famous for its cool lava. Fischer said The volcanic lava erupts that move like liquid and motor oil. The large carbonate rocks of this lavas through northern Tanzania indicate that many such volcanoes exist, but in recent times Oldino Lengai is active.

The East African cracks are slowly pushing the coastal strips away from South Africa. It is expected to release around CO2 as a small country. Fisher’s co-authors took gas samples from the warm springs of the Fat Valley and saw that they were divided into two very distinct groups. Some emit very little carbon dioxide, instead, most contain nitrogen and helium from the crust, while others contain carbon dioxide which is associated with helium whose isotopic signature identifies it is coming from the Earth’s mantle.

The paper ends at the bottom of the craton and includes steep opals that focus the carbon in the pocket. Just as carbon-rich lava flows more easily over the surface, the presence of carbon below the craton opal reduces friction, pushing the side of the molten material until it reaches the thinner parts of the craton.
There the carbon-rich magma rose and formed a province of volcanoes and separated the cratons, eventually splitting the continental plate and a new seaway.