The Circum-Pacific Belt, also known as the Ring of Fire, is a major area in the basin of the Pacific Ocean where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur. This belt is shaped like a horseshoe and spans approximately 40,000 kilometers. It is associated with a nearly continuous series of oceanic trenches, volcanic arcs, and volcanic belts and plate movements.
The Ring of Fire is home to about 75% of the world’s active and dormant volcanoes. It is also the location of 90% of the world’s earthquakes, including the most violent and dramatic seismic events. The belt is a direct result of plate tectonics and the movement and collisions of lithospheric plates. The Pacific Plate is being subducted beneath the surrounding plates, leading to intense geological activity.
Countries that are part of the Circum-Pacific Belt include the United States, Canada, Russia, Japan, Indonesia, New Zealand, and several countries in South America. The high level of seismic and volcanic activity in this region makes it one of the most geologically active areas on Earth.