Further measurements found that motion of the Aegean region differed from the previous model, so the two plates are now considered distinct from each other.

[5] The Aegean Sea area is thought to be an actively extending back-arc region due to slab rollback on the Hellenic subduction zone.

This environment has created a number of horst and graben features on the seafloor, similar to basin and range topography.

[4] Prior to the extensional environment, the region underwent the Aegean Orogeny (c. 70 – 14 Ma), followed by crustal thinning due to post-orogenic collapse.

[8] Some seismic activity is a result of the extension of the plate, which creates east–west trending faults that can slip and cause earthquakes.