Why is the Red Sea considered a relatively young sea?

The Red Sea is considered a relatively young sea because its formation is a geologically recent event resulting from the ongoing separation of the African and Arabian tectonic plates.1

This development began approximately 55 million years ago when the two landmasses started moving apart, creating a rift valley. The process occurred in complex phases: the Gulf of Suez opened about 30 million years ago, followed by the northern part of the Red Sea roughly 20 million years ago. A second major phase of tectonic activity began only 3 to 4 million years ago, which formed the trough in the Gulf of Aqaba and the southern portion of the sea.1

This rift system remains active today, characterized by seismic activity, recent volcanism, and a continued spreading rate of approximately 0.59 to 0.62 inches per year. Its formation is often compared to the early developmental stages of the Atlantic Ocean.1