Verron Range

Verron Range
Hahlgebirge

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Location of the Verron Range in Papua New Guinea

Highest point
Elevation 2,150 m (7,050 ft)
Geography
Country Papua New Guinea
State/Province New Ireland
Range coordinates 4°21′S 152°46′E / 4.35°S 152.77°ECoordinates: 4°21′S 152°46′E / 4.35°S 152.77°E
Geology
Period Triassic
Type of rock Limestone and volcanic rock

The Verron Range is a mountain range in the southern part of New Ireland, Papua New Guinea, composed of limestone and volcanic rock. The highest point of the mountains is at 2,150 m. Together with the Hans Meyer Range and the Lelet Plateau, it is one of the main mountainous features of New Ireland.[1]

Geography

The Verron Range is located in the broader southern part of New Ireland Island and runs roughly in a north-south-direction, parallel to the Hans Meyer Range. The Weitin valley divides the two ranges, Verron on the west and Hans Meyer on the east.[2]

This range was named "Verron" (Véron) after Pierre-Antoine Véron (1736-1770), the astronomer on Louis Antoine de Bougainville's ship who was able to determine the longitude by means of a solar eclipse around this location on 13 July 1768.[3] This fact was important for it allowed Véron to establish the width of the Pacific Ocean with precision for the first time in history.[4] While the island was part of German New Guinea, this range was named Hahlgebirge (Hahl Range) after German colonial governor Albert Hahl (1868–1945).[5]

As other high ranges in the region, the Verron Range is covered in thick rainforest and has been little studied. It is home to many rare species of fauna and flora and is highly biodiverse.[6] This range is part of the New Britain-New Ireland lowland rain forest terrestrial ecoregion.[7]

References

  1. ↑ NI mountains tell a tale
  2. ↑ Location
  3. ↑ Mémoires de l'Acadêmie des sciences de l'Institut de France, Institut national des sciences et arts, Paris, 1789
  4. ↑ History - NI mountains tell a tale
  5. ↑ Deutsches Kolonial-Lexikon (1920), Band II, S. 10 - Hahlgebirge
  6. ↑ CBD Fourth National Report - Papua New Guinea (English version)
  7. ↑ "New Britain-New Ireland lowland rain forests". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund.

External links