Somali Plate
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The Somali Plate or Somalian Plate is a tectonic plate that is currently forming. It is a part of the African Plate that is moving eastward due to a rift valley. This rift valley has formed lakes and volcanoes, notably Mt. Kilimanjaro. The Somali Plate is bounded on the west by the Great Rift Valley which extends south through east Africa from the triple junction in the Afar Depression. The northern boundary is the extension of the Indian Ocean ridge in the Gulf of Aden. The eastern boundary is the Indian Ocean ridge and the southern boundary is ill-defined. Dating of volcanism in the Comoro Islands and northern Madagascar volcanos indicates a rate of motion to the east over a hotspot of approximately 45 mm/yr.
