Friday, October 30, 2026
Science

Faraway tectonic forces may have accelerated the Gulf of California rifting

When the Baja California peninsula broke from mainland Mexico nearly 12 million years ago, it gave rise to the Gulf of California. New research suggests that this process of continental rifting was greatly accelerated due to tectonic forces on the opposite side of the Pacific Ocean.

Faraway tectonic forces may have accelerated the Gulf of California rifting
Image: Phys.org
When the Baja California peninsula broke from mainland Mexico nearly 12 million years ago, it gave rise to the Gulf of California. New research suggests that this process of continental rifting was greatly accelerated due to tectonic forces on the opposite side of the Pacific Ocean.

Originally published at Phys.org

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