The peninsula is located in the area of the Saronic Gulf, which is characterized by E-W normal faults and by NE-SW strike-slip faults and cross-cut by a myriad of smaller faults. The vents have usually developed along these tectonic lines. 

According to scientists, at least 14 distinct eruptions can be identified, mostly effusive. Explosive activity is rare and emplaced at least 3 distinct pumice deposits. The erupted volumes are moderate, generally <0.9 km3. 

The volcanic stratigraphy of Methana has been documented on the “Geological Map 1:25000 of Methana” (Dietrich et al. 1996) and revised by Pe-Piper and Piper (2013). 

The ages of the volcanic activity are poorly constrained. For simplicity, the eruptions can be separated in 4 phases and numbered from I to XIV, after the model of Popa et al. (in press): 

Events I and II: the so-called “volcanic socle”, dated at 3.5 ± 0.9 Ma, covers the Mesozoic basement and Lower Pliocene marine marls (nannoplankton NN15 ∼ 4.2 Ma). It is marked by an explosive eruption and by a series of domes and lava flows extruded all over the peninsula. Events III – XI (with random dates between 1.4±0.3 and 0.6 ± 0.2 Ma): marked by two explosive eruptions (VI and VIII) and by a series of lava flows and domes. Limited hydrothermal activity is associated with this stage of volcanic activity. Events XII-XIII with ages of 0.34 and 0.29 Ma: lava flows and domes extruded from vents developed on N-S (XII) and E-W (XIII) directions. The eruptions are probably closely related to tectonic activity and the development of faults/fractures. Event XIV: the youngest eruption, the Mavri Petra lava flow complex, which has erupted in historical times ~ 250 BP in the NW corner of the peninsula.