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New Zealand lies astride two tectonic plates, the Pacific and the Australian. This gives us the Taupo Volcanic Zone in the North Island. In the North, the Pacific plate is subducting (diving under) the Australian plate. Material from this which melts at depth is the cause of the TVZ above.
In the SW of the South Island, the Australian Plate dives very steeply under the pacific one. The region in between these two opposing subductions has caused the Southern Alps to rise. Left to itself without erosion, Mt Cook/ Aoraki would be some 20km taller than it is.
The above picture gives a sound basis for understanding the development of the geographic features in New Zealand. Climate, and long standing sea level fluctuations go a long way to underlie the remaining features.
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What are some New Zealand animals that begin with the letter N?
New Zealand Fairy Tern (a bird)
What animals are legal to have as pets in New Zealand?
Some animals that are legal to have in New Zealand are dogs, cats, and birds.
What are some good dating sites for New Zealand residents?
There are several good dating sites for New Zealand residents. Some of these include: Find Someone, The Group, Flirt Box, Dating Buzz, and Dating New Zealand.
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If this was your question, Countries close to Australia, are New Zealand, some of the Indonesian archipelago, and Papua New Guinea.
Where can one find information about Fly Fishing in New Zealand?
There are many websites and resources that offer information on fly fishing in New Zealand. Some of these websites that offer information are Fly Fishing New Zealand and New Zealand Fly Fishing.
