Yes, spreading rate is really the thing to measure. The reason being, is that this region is faulted and rifted throughout. This particular rift is one of many.

Yes, spreading rate is really the thing to measure. The reason being, is that this region is faulted and rifted throughout. This particular rift is one of many. Rather than elongating; the rifts will join and will connect northward to the Red Sea. It seems that rifts are nearly connecting now. Though, it will take millions of years to finish this connection and create this sea. I found some information on the spreading rates. Seems the plates are spreading at rates of 15 mm/yr in the north and 6 mm/yr in the south. Here are some other references: http://www.ees.rochester.edu/ebinger/Site/Publications_files/Ebinger_GJI08_Afar.pdf http://www.ees.rochester.edu/ebinger/Site/Publications_files... http://www.see.leeds.ac.uk/afar/index.htm http://www.see.leeds.ac.uk/afar/index.htm