Homework: MAP Investigation: The Ring of Fire

The Ring of Fire is an area that surrounds the Pacific Ocean where the earth’s tectonic plates are in continuous motion. Reaching over 25,000 miles, this horseshoe shaped area experiences numerous volcanoes and earthquakes. It is home to 452 volcanoes that make up over 75% of the world's active and dormant volcanoes. About 90% of all the world's earthquakes and most of the world's largest earthquakes occur along the Ring of Fire.

In 2011, Japan experienced one of the largest earthquakes ever recorded as a result of movement along the Ring of Fire. In other locations, such as Java in the South Pacific, numerous volcanoes are created as the Australian Plate is subducted into the mantle underneath the Eurasian Plate. This subduction has created several of the largest volcanic eruptions ever recorded. In 1883 the volcanic island of Krakatau erupted just off the coast of Java. This eruption created an explosion heard over 3000 miles away.

The eastern side of the Ring of Fire is just as active as the western. Along North America’s western coast the Cascade range forms a line of volcanoes stretching over 700 miles. Included in this range are Mt. Rainier, Mt. Hood, Mt. Shasta, and Mt. St. Helens which had a major eruption in 1980. Farther south you have the San Andreas Fault system that is responsible for 1000’s of earthquakes each year in California and the surrounding areas. If you are looking for active geology on the earth, look no further than the Ring of Fire.

^San Andreas Fault