Pacific Ring of Fire- High volcanic activity

Pacific Ring of Fire- High volcanic activity

Question:-Pacific Ring of Fire has the greatest concentration of volcanoes and earthquakes. Analyze the reasons for the same.

- The Pacific Ring of Fire is an arc around the Pacific Ocean where number of volcanoes and earthquakes take place and it is estimated that about three quarters of the volcanoes in the world, dormant and active are located here. Most of the active volcanoes on The Ring of Fire are found on its western edge, from the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia, through the islands of Japan and Southeast Asia, to New Zealand.

- The arc extends from South America and North America to Eastern Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

- The area has for a very long time been an active site for earthquakes and volcanoes due to the active plate boundaries. When tectonic plates rub against each other at boundaries they lead to earthquakes and eruptions of magma which form volcanoes. The tectonic boundaries of the horseshoe shaped Ring of Fire are extremely active because they are mostly subduction zones which means the heavier plate slides under the other one at the boundary, creating trenches in the ocean making it apt for mountains, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes.

- The most important volcanoes are Mt Fuji in Japan, Mt. Saint Helens and Mt. Rainier in the American North West, Krakatoa in Indonesia, Mauna Loa in Hawaii, Galeras in Colombia and Sangay in Ecuador. These pose a greater danger due to their close proximity to heavily populated areas which also are tourist spots.

- It is now observed that the area is very close to several tectonic plates which may be what influences the continuous violent activity in the area.

- Kilauea which is considered the most active volcano in the world is located in the Pacific Ring of Fire. The snowy capped volcanic mountains pose a greater danger to the regions nearby.

- Santa Maria volcano in Guatemala and Mount Yasur have proven catastrophic and yet tourists risk the dangers of going to these places.

Facts:

- Mount Yasur is one of the most easily accessible live volcano in the world. Anyone can walk right up and peer down into its fiery belly.

- The Ring of Fire stretches for almost 25000 miles, from New Zealand along the west side of the Pacific through Indonesia, the Philippines and Japan, along the Bering Strait between Russia and Alaska, and down the west coasts of North and South America.