[2] It is interpreted as a geological feature that accommodates oblique convergence between the Pacific Plate and the New Guinea Highlands although its quantified parameters remains undetermined.

Due to the moderate seismicity along the trench, it is thought to be accommodating strain through aseismic creep for most of its length.

A Mw  7.0 earthquake in Aitape, Papua New Guinea, displayed thrust-faulting mechanism, and was determined to have occurred on the plate boundary fault interface.

[2] A destructive MPAS 7.9 earthquake with an epicenter between Yapen and the Bird's Head Peninsula produced a significant tsunami.

The tsunami was also recorded in Honolulu, Hawaii, suggesting a source in the Pacific Ocean, possibly the New Guinea Trench.