Understanding how the outer shell of the Earth moves and deforms is essential for explaining natural phenomena like earthquakes and volcanic activity. This project seeks to improve knowledge of tectonics by studying the deep structure beneath Africa, a continent that holds key clues about how the interior of the planet influences surface movements. Unusually hot mantle rocks are observed underneath Africa, as well as the East African Rift System, the most prominent and active continental rift on the Earth. Taking advantage of these features, the project will develop a detailed model of the deep structure beneath this continent. It will also revise how its tectonic plates move, and explore interactions between the Earth's outer shell with the deeper convecting mantle beneath Africa. The results of this research will help increase understanding of fundamental processes shaping our planet. For example, the findings may enhance earthquake hazard assessments, improve models of global plate motions, and provide relevant information to other aligned fields, such as geothermal exploration. This project uses advanced seismic and geodetic data to provide a more complete picture of Earth's dynamic interior. This project will try to advance the understanding of plate tectonics by investigating how the African continent interacts with the underlying convecting mantle. Specifically, it will test a long-standing hypothesis that lithosphere-asthenosphere coupling modulates the influe