RING OF FIRE

Copyright infringement not intended

Picture Courtesy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ring_of_Fire

Context: The recent earthquake in Taiwan has highlighted the island's vulnerability to seismic activity. The vulnerability originates from its location on the Ring of Fire, a region that hosts a large proportion of the world's earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

About Ring of Fire

• The Ring of Fire, also known as the Pacific Ring of Fire, is a vast tectonic belt characterised by a high concentration of volcanoes and earthquakes. Spanning approximately 40,000 kilometres around the Pacific Ocean, it plays a significant role in shaping Earth's geological activity.
• The Ring of Fire includes a wide variety of geological features, including volcanic arcs, oceanic trenches, back-arc basins, and volcanic belts. It is a result of the complex interactions between multiple tectonic plates along the Pacific Ocean basin.
• The Ring of Fire consists of active or dormant volcanoes, estimated to be around two-thirds of the world's total. This belt experiences about 90% of the world's earthquakes, including many of the largest recorded events.
• The primary challenges associated with the Ring of Fire include the risks of volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis, and associated hazards such as landslides and ashfall. These events can result in loss of life, property damage, disruption of infrastructure, and environmental consequences.