[3] The Juan Fernández microplate was first discovered in 1972 via seismicity charts, which showed semi-circular patterns at the Pacific-Nazca-Antarctic triple junction.

[4][5] This implied that shear zone was present that were inconsistent with existing plate theories in the area.

[3] After this first sonar mapping of the Juan Fernández microplate, shortly after, the RV Endeavor performed another geological survey defining the boundaries of the plate and identifying the key features of the triple junctions of which the Juan Fernández microplate is the center.

These two spreading centers then accreted material onto the Juan Fernández microplate until it grew into the recognizable shape it is today.

The Pacific plate is estimated to have a spreading rate anywhere between 13 and 16 cm/year (5.1 and 6.3 in/year) in relation to the Juan Fernández microplate.

[12] The large 9 October 2014 seismic doublet earthquake within the microplate, raised the potential for significant tsunami generation from thrust tectonics that had not been previously recognised.

These paired earthquakes had magnitudes of Mw7.1 and Mw 6.7 and produced at Easter Island 600 km (370 mi; 320 nmi) away a 50 cm (20 in) tsunami.