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South Bismarck Plate

The South Bismarck Plate is the southern companion to the North Bismarck Plate in the Bismarck Sea. Together with neighboring microplates, it accommodates the complex motion between the converging Pacific and Australian plates. The plate is bounded by transform faults and displays moderate seismic activity. The New Britain Trench to the south marks where oceanic crust subducts beneath the region.

South Bismarck Plate map

Plate Information

Size: 0.1 million km²
Movement: Southwest
Speed: 3 cm/year
Countries: 1

Countries & Territories

Papua New Guinea (partial)

Key Facts

  • Part of the Bismarck Sea complex
  • Bounded by transform faults
  • Moderate seismic activity
  • Interacts with multiple adjacent plates