Infrared satellite image of a section of the Afar triangle in Ethiopia. In this region three tectonic plates are spreading away from each other, causi

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Infrared satellite image of a section of the Afar triangle in Ethiopia. In this region three tectonic plates are spreading away from each other, causing the numerous cracks seen in the basalt rock (brown). Across lower centre is a graben, a gulley formed by sinking land when the ground either side pulls away. Red areas are vegetation. This region is the site of a number of important hominid fossil discoveries. Image obtained by the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) on NASA's Terra satellite.

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Size: 4027px × 4358px
Photo credit: © NASA/GSFC/METI/ERSDAC/JAROS, and U.S./Japan ASTER Science Team/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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