Final answer:
The East African Rift is a divergent plate boundary creating the Great Rift Valley, an area marked by the splitting of the African Plate, volcanic activity, and rich ecological systems.
Step-by-step explanation:
The East African Rift is characterized by a divergent tectonic plate boundary where the African Plate is splitting into the Somalian Plate and the Nubian Plate. This geological process has given rise to a prominent landform known as the Great Rift Valley, featuring the Western Rift with its series of deep water lakes, and the Eastern Rift with volcanic peaks like Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya. The Rift Valley is an example of continental rifting, where the Earth's crust is being pulled apart due to tectonic forces.
This geologic activity has spawned unique ecosystems and provides rich resources for wildlife and human populations alike. In the Eastern Rift, the sheer abundance of birds at the lakes attract other wildlife, leading to a diverse and interdependent ecological system. Similarly, the livelihoods of millions are closely tied to features like Lake Tanganyika, due to its fish and freshwater resources.