Which features/landforms are typically associated with the East African Rift Valley?

The East African Rift Valley, also known as the Great Rift Valley, is a geological feature that runs from the Red Sea in the north to Mozambique in the south. It is characterized by several distinct features and landforms:

1. Rift Valleys: The most prominent feature of the East African Rift system is the two main rift valleys - the Eastern Rift Valley and the Western Rift Valley. These are large, elongated depressions with steep walls, formed due to the splitting of the Earth's crust.

2. Volcanoes and Mountains: The Rift Valley is known for its volcanic activity. This has resulted in the formation of numerous volcanoes and mountains, such as Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya, the two highest peaks in Africa.

3. Lakes: The Rift Valley is home to some of the world's largest and deepest lakes, including Lake Victoria, Lake Tanganyika, and Lake Malawi. These lakes were formed as a result of the sinking of the rift floor between the rising rift shoulders.

4. Grasslands and Savannahs: The East African Rift Valley is also characterized by its vast grasslands and savannahs, which support a diverse range of wildlife. This includes the Serengeti Plain, which hosts one of the world's most spectacular wildlife migrations.

5. Hot Springs and Geysers: Due to the geothermal activity associated with the rifting process, there are numerous hot springs and geysers found in the Rift Valley.

6. Fossil Sites: The Rift Valley is renowned for its rich fossil sites, which have provided key insights into human evolution. The Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania and the Lake Turkana region in Kenya are two of the most significant sites.

7. Escarpments: The Rift Valley is flanked by steep escarpments, which are formed due to faulting and erosion. These escarpments provide dramatic landscapes and are a defining feature of the Rift Valley.

8. Semi-Desert and Desert Areas: In some parts of the Rift Valley, particularly in the north, the climate is arid, leading to the formation of semi-desert and desert landscapes.