What is the Pacific Ring of Fire and why do the most catastrophic earthquakes on the planet occur there?

The Pacific Belt or Ring extends through a horseshoe-shaped strip that reaches 40,000 kilometers. Devastating earthquakes and significant volcanic activity are brewing in its bowels.

Ring of Fire
The earthquakes that occur along the Belt of Fire have the potential to trigger catastrophic tsunamis due to the release of seismic energy and the sudden movement of the earth's crust underwater.

The Pacific Fire Belt (or Ring) is a geological formation that extends over 40,000 kilometers around the edge of the Pacific Ocean. This vast area extends from the west coast of South America to the east coast of Asia, passing through the Pacific islands and reaching the west coast of North America.

Its formation is closely related to the boundaries of tectonic plates that surround the Pacific Ocean, where the tectonic plates converge, separate or slide on top of each other, creating intense seismic and volcanic activity.

The most catastrophic earthquakes on Earth are being staken here

The tectonic activity in the Pacific Firebelt is the result of the interaction of several main tectonic plates, including the Pacific plate, the Nazca plate, the Cocos plate, the Philippines plate and the North Pacific plate. These plates are in constant motion and suffer friction between them, which causes great tensions in the earth's crust that are eventually released in the form of very intense earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

The Belt of Fire encompasses numerous countries and territories that border the Pacific Ocean. Apart from Japan and the United States, this belt covers or has influence in nations such as Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Canada, Panama, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Russia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Tonga or New Zealand, among others.

The Pacific Fire Belt concentrates 90 percent of the planet's seismic activity and the vast majority of active volcanoes in the world (75%) are located,

Many of the most catastrophic earthquakes in history have occurred within this geographical area. Among them are the devastating earthquakes in Chile in 1960 and 2010, the event in Alaska in 1964, the earthquake and tsunami in Japan in 2011, as well as the catastrophic earthquake in the Indian Ocean in 2004.

Volcanoes and large volcanic structures

In addition to earthquakes, the Pacific Belt of Fire is known for its volcanic activity. The presence of numerous active volcanoes throughout this region makes it one of the most volcanically active places on Earth.

From the majestic Mount Fuji in Japan to the imposing Mount Rainier in the United States, the volcanoes of the Belt of Fire have left an indelible mark on the landscape and history of the surrounding regions.

Other seismic borders

Apart from the Pacific Fire Belt, we also find other areas that stand out for their great seismicity due to their interaction of multiple tectonic plates, which generates a variety of significant seismic events in different parts of the world.

The Alpine Seismic Belt

This seismic belt is responsible for approximately 17% of the largest earthquakes recorded in the world.

It extends from Java to the Iberian Peninsula, passing through regions as diverse as the Himalayas, the Balkans, the Alps, Turkey, the Mediterranean and the Atlas.

The Mesoatlantic ridge

In the North Atlantic, the Mesoatlantic ridge separates the Eurasian and North American plates, while in the South Atlantic it separates the African and South American plates. From the seabed, the mountains rise between 1000 and 3000 meters high within the waters of the ocean.

Although much of this ridge is underwater and far from human development, there is a notable exception: Iceland. Despite its remote location, this surprising island experiences significant seismic and volcanic activity due to its position on the Mesoatlantic ridge.