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North Bismarck Plate
The North Bismarck Plate is one of several microplates in the complex Bismarck Sea region north of Papua New Guinea. The Bismarck Sea sits at the convergence of the Pacific and Australian plates, creating a chaotic zone of microplates, active volcanoes, and frequent earthquakes. The region is one of the most tectonically complicated areas on Earth, with multiple small plates rotating and colliding.
Plate Information
Size: 0.1 million km²
Movement: Westward
Speed: 3 cm/year
Countries: 1
Countries & Territories
Papua New Guinea (partial)
Key Facts
- Part of the Bismarck Sea region
- Complex plate boundary zone
- High seismic activity
- Active volcanism