Only earthquakes over magnitude 8 are included unless they result in damage and/or casualties.
The Australian Woodlark, Solomon Sea and Pacific Plates are converging at a rate of 97 mm/yr.
[1] Subduction of the Australian Plate has also given rise to volcanoes in the region.
This region of the world lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, where 90 percent of all earthquake and volcanic activity is concentrated here.
The predominant vulnerable building types are adobe walls and informal construction.