Role reversal: Is Europe about to move below Africa as direction of tectonic plates shifts? - 12th Apr 2011

Europe could be moving beneath Africa as the two continents shift closer together, scientists believe.

Geologists say a pause in the movement between the two continents could mean the tectonic plates are about to change direction, in what has been described as a 'scientifically fascinating' development.

The northern edge of the African tectonic plate has descended under Europe for millions of years but recently this process halted, it has been reported.

Scientists, discussing the issue at the European Geosciences Union (EGU) meeting last week, said they thought Europe could be about to move under Africa

According to the BBC, this new development could herald the beginning of a rare - and scientifically fascinating - event of a new subduction zone.

The dense rock at the far north of the African tectonic plate, beneath the Mediterranean Sea, has practically sunk under the Eurasian plate, on which Europe sits.

However, with a landmass that is too light, scientists do not believe Africa will descend any further.

Rinus Wortel, from the University of Utrecht, told BBC News: 'Africa won't sink, but Africa and Europe continue to move together; so where is this taken up?

'It looks possible that on the appropriate timescale, we are witnessing the beginning of subduction of Europe under Africa.' Read More