A new study suggests that a subduction zone below the Gibraltar Strait could potentially awaken and form a new ‘Ring of Fire’ in the Atlantic Ocean. The subduction zone, known as the Gibraltar arc or trench, has been creeping westward for the past 30 million years and could eventually invade the Atlantic Ocean, causing it to slowly close up.

Although the subduction zone has been in a period of quiet for the last 5 million years, the study published in the journal Geology suggests that it could resume its advance in about 20 million years, leading to a process known as ‘subduction invasion.’ This process could result in the formation of an Atlantic ‘Ring of Fire,’ similar to the ones found in the Caribbean and near Antarctica.

The lead author of the study, João Duarte, a geologist and assistant professor at the University of Lisbon, emphasized the significance of studying the Gibraltar arc in its early stages to observe the subduction process. The researchers used a computer model to simulate the birth and evolution of the subduction zone, noting a decline in its speed as it approached the Atlantic boundary 5 million years ago.

This study provides valuable insights into the potential geological changes that could occur in the distant future, shedding light on the early stages of subduction zone formation and its impact on oceanic dynamics. Understanding these processes is crucial for predicting and preparing for geological events that could shape the Earth’s surface in the long term.