Effects on the drainage patterns:
1. The Formation of the Rift Valleys: One of the most important tectonic features that has an effect on the water routes of Africa is the presence of the Rift Valleys. The movement along these faults has given rise to the formation of deep valleys and elevated plateaus in places like the eastern region of Africa as well as the Ethiopian highlands. The drainage patterns have been fundamentally altered as a result of this, and a significant number of lakes have been produced, the most notable of which are Lakes Malawi, Tanganyika, and Turkana.
2. Continental Collision: The effect that the collision between the African and Eurasian tectonic plates had on the landscape can be seen in the Atlas Mountains. The closure of the Tethys Ocean caused the formation of these mountain ranges, which in turn had an influence on the rivers that originate in the Mediterranean. Rivers such as the Nile, the Niger, and the Senegal all begin in the Atlas Mountains, and their flow has been molded and oriented by the mountain range.
3. Development of the Drainage Systems: The long-term tectonic processes have been essential in the development of drainage systems throughout Africa. The Congo River, for instance, has its beginning in the Rift Valley and flows west across the continent before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean. Similar to this, the Zambezi River has its source in the Angolan highlands and continues in a south easterly direction before emptying into the Indian Ocean.
Influence of Tectonic Uplifts:
1. The formation of waterfalls and rapids: In locations where there has been tectonic uplift, rivers flow over slopes that are abruptly steepened. This gives rise to the presence of waterfalls and rapids. Notable examples of these may be found on rivers such as the Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River, the Murchison Falls on the Nile River, and the Tugela Falls on the Tugela River. These waterfalls are popular tourist destinations and provide opportunities for the production of hydroelectric power.
2. Adjustment to the river's course: Uplift can force a river to change course, which can sometimes result in the creation of new river channels. The Victoria Falls, for instance, were produced as a result of shifting caused by the uplift of the African continent when the course of the Zambezi River was forced to divert.
3. The formation of inland drainage systems: Certain areas that have been subjected to tectonic uplift have developed inland drainage systems. These systems do not have outlets that go directly into the sea but rather have their water flow into interior basins. The Kalahari Basin in Botswana and the Lake Chad basin are two famous examples of this kind of thing.
In summary, the waterways in Africa that are located to the south of the Sahara have been significantly influenced by the movement of tectonic plates over time. These processes have resulted in the development of rift valleys, the collision of continents, and the formation of drainage systems. The tectonic upheavals have left a lasting impression on the landscape and have created a variety of geographical aspects, waterfalls, and inland drainage systems.
