Discuss the geophysical characteristics of Circum-Pacific Zone
The Circum-Pacific Belt also referred to as the Ring of Fire, is a path along the Pacific Ocean characterized by active volcanoes and frequent earthquakes.
Its length is approximately 40,000 kilometers (24,900 miles). It traces boundaries between several tectonics plates-including the Pacific, Juan de Fuca, Cocos, Indian-Australian, Nazca, North American, and Philippine Plates.
Seventy-five percent of Earth’s volcanoes more than 450 volcanoes are located along the Ring of Fire. Ninety percent of Earth’s earthquakes occur along its path, including the planet’s most violent and dramatic seismic events.
The abundance of volcanoes and earthquakes along the Ring of Fire is caused by the amount of movement of tectonic plates in the area. Along much of the Ring of Fire, plates overlap at convergent boundaries called subduction zones. That is, the plate that is underneath is pushed down, or subducted, by the plate above. As rock is subducted, it melts and becomes magma. The abundance of magma so near to Earth’s surface gives rise to conditions ripe for volcanic activity.