The distribution of tephras in the Papua New Guinea highlands

Highland source tephras date between 50 000 and 200 000 yr BP, while relatively young thin tephras have been identified NE of Mount Hagen town. 8 of these date to the Holocene, the rest go back to 30 000 yr BP. These tephras are of great importance in studying past agricultural activity and slope and other geomorphic processes. It is also important to note that very different soils carry the same tephra topsoil. Finally, the area clearly is not free of the risk of future eruptions. -K.Clayton