What is the "Ring of Fire"?

Most earthquakes and volcanic eruptions do not strike randomly but occur in specific areas, such as along plate boundaries. One such area is the circum-Pacific Ring of Fire where the Pacific Plate meets many surrounding tectonic plates. The Ring of Fire is the most seismically and volcanically active zone in the world.

The Ring of Fire refers to a geographical area of high volcanic and seismic activity around the edges of the Pacific Ocean. It may be a famous song by country legend Johnny Cash, but to geologists, volcanologists, and seismologists, the Ring of Fire is a vast geographic area rich in tectonic activity.

If we trace a line around the Pacific Ocean on a map or globe, it would roughly make a ring, or circular, shape. Now, imagine that ring on fire. That term is descriptive rather than literal. All along this ring, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are common because of tectonic plate boundaries and movements.