Question

Since 2005, a 35-mile fissure has been forming at this geologic region’s Dabbahu Volcano. (15[1])A major lava lake lies in this region’s volcano Erta Ale. A formation denoted “RRR” in this region created its Gulfs of Zula and Tadjoura. This region’s Awash River yielded the Hadar jaw—arguably the oldest Homo specimen—and the namesake of Ardipithecus, (-5[2])whose name derives (15[1])from a language sharing this region’s name. It’s not Iceland, but a terrestrial mid-ocean ridge in this region exemplifies (*) ocean formation. This region’s Lake Assal is Africa’s lowest point. The now-ghost town of Dallol in this region has the world record for hottest inhabited place and is in its Danakil Desert. As the “Lucy” skeleton (-5[1])was found in this region, its species name refers to it. For 10 points, name this region formed by a triple junction of the African, Arabian, and Somali plates, centered on Djibouti. ■END■ (0[3])

ANSWER: Afar Triangle [or Afar Depression or Afar Triple Junction; accept Danakil Depression or Danakil Desert before mention; prompt on Australopithecus afarensis; prompt on broader answers like Horn of Africa or Great Rift Valley by asking “which geologic region within that?”]
<Geography - Geography>
= Average correct buzz position

Back to tossups

Buzzes

PlayerTeamOpponentBuzz PositionValue
Elijah Mandelbaumas rational as the square root of two power bottomsSimpson Agonistes: The Crisis of Donut1315
Joey SunModerator Can't Neg me While in AlphaRyan Wesley Routh's 10 000 NATO-trained Afghan Quizbowlers54-5
Adil HaiderThe Only Existing Manuscript from A Clockwork OrangeShe Dicer On My Argonaute Till I RNA Interfere54-5
Micah ColmanTensei Shitara Flashcard Data KenYou cannot go to Aarhus to see his peat-brown head / With eyes like ripening fruit5715
Erik ChristensenI'd prefer to have the team name be Christensen et al. than anything that Erik cooks up Communism is Soviet power plus the yassification of the whole country112-5
Henry AtkinsCommunism is Soviet power plus the yassification of the whole countryI'd prefer to have the team name be Christensen et al. than anything that Erik cooks up 1450
Jason ZhangShe Dicer On My Argonaute Till I RNA InterfereThe Only Existing Manuscript from A Clockwork Orange1450
Jack van NostrandRyan Wesley Routh's 10 000 NATO-trained Afghan QuizbowlersModerator Can't Neg me While in Alpha1450

Summary

2024 ARGOS @ Stanford02/22/2025Y367%67%67%40.00
2024 ARGOS @ McMaster11/17/2024Y540%40%60%35.00
2024 ARGOS @ Chicago11/23/2024Y667%33%50%97.25
2024 ARGOS @ Columbia11/23/2024Y367%33%67%94.00
2024 ARGOS @ Christ's College12/14/2024Y367%33%67%99.00