Closing of the Atlantic: Tectonic Plates Could Form New Volcanic Mountain Chain in 20 Million Years

Though Newsweek has declared these changes in the Atlantic will commence "soon", it's essential to highlight that "soon", in this context, refers to an expected period of approximately 20 million years from the present time. "From a geological perspective it's just around the corner, but on a human scale it's an unimaginably long period" – the report reads.

Tectonic plates worldwide are always in motion. However, these movements are so minute that their effects aren't noticeable for many decades or even centuries. These shift patterns result in oceans' formation through the spreading of tectonic plates and their subsequent recompression.

This process, known as the Wilson cycle, led to the breakdown of the supercontinent Pangaea 180 million years ago. The process subsequently formed the Atlantic Ocean, while the ancient Tethys Ocean transitioned into the existing Mediterranean Sea.

Researchers have highlighted the continual movement of the tectonic plates that form the Atlantic Ocean. They have predicted these plates may begin to close in around 20 million years. "For the Atlantic to close, new subduction zones need to be created" - the article reads. Subduction zones denote areas where one tectonic plate is pushed beneath another.

This phenomenon occurs due to density disparities between the two tectonic plates. Given the vast dimension of these plates, the creation of subduction zones requires a considerable amount of time. Nevertheless, scientists, using tectonic predictions, have determined that the subduction zone in the Mediterranean Sea below the Strait of Gibraltar could shift further into the Atlantic Ocean in roughly 20 million years. At this time, the "Atlantic ring of fire" is also expected to form.

"Our research suggests that the zone below Gibraltar is dormant, but within the next 20 million years it will spread into the Atlantic" – reveals João Duarte in an interview with Newsweek, a researcher from the Instituto Dom Luiz at the University of Lisbon. The formation of the "ring of fire" will contribute to the pushing of the Atlantic Ocean plate beneath Africa and Europe. Consequently, this may lead to the "closing" of the Atlantic, i.e. the formation of natural barriers (mountain ranges) surrounding it. However, it's crucial to bear in mind that this event will only happen after passing countless million years.