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NEWS > EVERYONE ELSE > GROUND OPENS UP IN ETHIOPIA THREATENING TO SWALLOW THE CONTINENT
GROUND OPENS UP IN ETHIOPIA THREATENING TO SWALLOW THE CONTINENT
May 4 2010
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Over two hundred thousand years ago the earliest human beings began to take tentative steps out of Africa, steps that would eventually led the species to become the most successful in the billions of years of our planet’s 
existence. It was Eastern Africa, modern-day Ethiopia specifically, that man first made those steps that would eventually lead to greatness. Recent years have not been so kind to our ancient homeland with war, drought, and famine constantly ravaging the country and now it appears the planet is adding a new wrinkle to their woes.
Though it happened in 2005, researchers have just recently uncovered a massive gash that has been torn in the Ethiopian countryside. The 500 metre long and 60 metre deep gash was the result of diverted lava flow from an eruption of the nearby volcano Dabbahu. Scientist believe that the crack may one day form into a modern lake but are also concerned that another eruption could lead to a similar incident, ripping the gash wider and potentially swallowing the entire country into the belly of the planet. Though such a scenario is unlikely at best, the mere idea of that happening has many in the country panicking, concerned that an apocalypse is near.
“At some point, if that spreading and rifting continues, then that area will be flooded. 
At its current rate, it will take about 4 million years to reach something the size of the
Red Sea so people will have plenty of time to get out of the way. There is, as always, a concern that similar circumstances could tear the crack wider but I think it’s very unlikely that it will cause the country to disappear from the face of the planet,” said Ken Macdonald of the University of California, Santa Barbara. “Of course there is always the possibility. This type of thing occurs regularly in the oceans but cause little panic because human societies are not at immediate risk. Undersea splits can be massive and devastating, the type of thing that could destroy a civilization. It’s possible that it could happen here, though unlikely. It would be a real shame if the country did suddenly vanish.”
Other areas of the world subject to possible devouring by the planet include California and major parts of Turkey and Greece. Though those areas boast significantly more population and economic importance, the anthropological value of Ethiopia is seen as the greatest loss should the country vanish.
“There are almost 80 million people in Ethiopia so obviously the human loss would be devastating. But more importantly, that area is our home. That it where our ancient ancestors lived, that is where our species as we know was born so it would be very upsetting if it was lost,” said Scrape TV Science analyst Dr. Howard Poe. “I mean no one wants 80 million people to die but obviously the biggest concern is ‘how will this affect me?’ By losing our ancestral home, we will have lost not only our history but a great deal of clues as to how we began. It would be pretty cool though.”
Scientists note that should the Earth open up and swallow the country most people would go with it, meaning little in the way of carnage or human suffering on television.
“When it gets to that point we are simply talking semantics. Obviously, the people of Ethiopia have suffered tremendously in recent years so for them it would almost be a blessing. For the rest of us though something will have been lost,” continued Poe. “Of course that would likely turn into a huge and beautiful body of water and could provide that area with some much needed economic stimulus. Resorts, cruises, pretty much anything you can imagine. In a way it might even be a way for the planet to give back, a silver lining.”
The majority of Ethiopians have reportedly accepted their fate and are making amends with higher powers.
Emil Uliya, International Correspondent
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