Great Rift Valley

The Great Rift Valley is a massive valley that stretches almost 4,000 miles from Syria in the Middle East to Mozambique in southern Africa. About 20 million years ago, the earth’s crust weakened and created a jagged rift across Africa. The land on either side erupted, creating huge, volcanic mountains. Meanwhile, the valley sank into the low plain we now call the Great Rift Valley. Today, the valley is characterized by arid deserts, fertile farmland, massive savannas, and steep regions of cliffs. The area also features more than thirty active volcanoes and hundreds of hot springs.