Slow extension of the rift zone between the African and Arabian tectonic plates in the Gulf of Suez area persists, although scientists previously believed the process had almost ceased about five million years ago. Specialists also identified signs of the Dugong’s return, which disappeared from the area nearly three decades ago. The process, called rifting, began in this zone about 28 million years ago when the Arabian plate started to separate from the African plate. By applying topographic analysis in the 300-kilometer-wide fault zone, along with data on rivers and coral reefs, researchers confirmed the presence of ongoing tectonic activity.
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