What is called the 'Ring of Fire'?

The Ring of Fire, also known as the Circum-Pacific Belt, is a path that stretches along the Pacific Ocean. It is characterized by active volcanoes and frequent earthquakes. Here are some key points about the Ring of Fire:

1. Length and Width:

   • The Ring of Fire is approximately 40,000 kilometers (24,900 miles) long.
   • Its width varies but can be up to about 500 kilometers (310 miles).
   • It surrounds most of the Pacific Ocean.

2. Tectonic Plates:

   • The Ring of Fire traces boundaries between several tectonic plates, including:
     • Pacific Plate
     • Juan de Fuca Plate
     • Cocos Plate
     • Indian-Australian Plate
     • Nazca Plate
     • North American Plate
     • Philippine Plate

3. Volcanoes and Earthquakes:

   • Seventy-five percent of Earth’s volcanoes—more than 450 volcanoes—are located along the Ring of Fire.
   • Ninety percent of Earth’s earthquakes occur along its path, including some of the most violent and dramatic seismic events.
   • The abundance of volcanoes and earthquakes along the Ring of Fire is caused by the movement of tectonic plates in the area.
   • Along much of the Ring of Fire, plates overlap at convergent boundaries called subduction zones. Here, one plate is pushed down (subducted) by the plate above, leading to volcanic activity.
   • An exception is the border between the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate, which is a transform boundary where plates move sideways past each other, generating numerous earthquakes ¹.

In summary, the Ring of Fire is a dynamic region where tectonic forces shape our planet through volcanic eruptions and seismic activity.