How the Mountains of New Guinea Formed: Australian-Pacific Plate Collision and Volcanic Uplift

New Guinea's towering ranges result from the ongoing collision of the Australian and Pacific tectonic plates. The Australian Plate subducts northward beneath the Pacific Plate, generating:

• Intense heat and magma formation.
• Volcanic arcs and uplifted crust.
• Major ranges: Central Range (spine of the island), Star Mountains (west), Owen Stanley Range (southeast).

The process continues today, causing frequent earthquakes and occasional tsunamis.