MASSIVE EARTHQUAKE HITS TAIWAN: WHAT IS THE RING OF FIRE?

9 people died and more than 1,000 were injured in Taiwan after the island was hit by its biggest earthquake in at least 25 years on Wednesday (April 4) morning.

1. While Taiwan’s earthquake monitoring agency said the quake was 7.2 magnitude, the US Geological Survey (USGS) put it at 7.4.
2. The epicenter of the quake was located just 18 kilometres south-southwest of Hualien County, which is situated in eastern Taiwan. Multiple aftershocks were experienced, and one of them was 6.5 magnitude, according to USGS.
3. Notably, Taiwan is prone to earthquakes as it lies along the Pacific “Ring of Fire” — where 90% of the world’s earthquakes take place.

What is the Ring of Fire?

The Ring of Fire, located along the Pacific Ocean, is a horse-shoe-shaped region known for its intense seismic and volcanic activity. Extending for approximately 40,250 kilometres.

1. The Ring of Fire is home to most of the world's active volcanoes, which are located underwater along the Ring of Fire.
2. The first underwater volcanic eruption was observed in 2006 at the Brimstone Vent on NW Rota-1 in the Mariana Arc.

 

About the Ring of Fire:

1. Geographic Scope: The Ring of Fire traces the meeting points of several tectonic plates, including the Eurasian, North American, Juan de Fuca, Cocos, Caribbean, Nazca, Antarctic, Indian, Australian, and Philippine plates, which encircle the massive Pacific Plate.
2. Global Significance: The Ring of Fire extends to 15 countries, including the United States, Indonesia, Mexico, Japan, Canada, Guatemala, Russia, Chile, Peru, and the Philippines.
3. Volcanic Activity: The Ring of Fire contains many volcanoes due to the movement of tectonic plates. Many volcanoes form through a process called subduction, which occurs when 2 plates collide, and the heavier plate sinks beneath the other, creating a deeper trench.
4. Subduction Zones: Most subduction zones on the planet are located in the Ring of Fire, which contributes to the high concentration of volcanoes.

Why is the Ring of Fire vulnerable to earthquakes?

1. The Ring of Fire is prone to frequent earthquakes due to the constant sliding, colliding, or movement of tectonic plates.
2. The edges of these plates often get stuck, causing stress to build up until it is released as an earthquake.

In conclusion, Ring of Fire is a geologically important region known for frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Understanding the dynamics of the Ring of Fire is important for disaster preparedness and managing the risks associated with seismic and volcanic activity in affected areas.

FAQs:

Q1: What is a subduction zone?

1. A subduction zone is a place where two tectonic plates collide and one plate is forced beneath the other.
2. Subduction zones are a key feature of Earth's plate tectonic regime.

 

Here are some characteristics of subduction zones:

1. Earthquakes: Subduction zones are home to some of the most powerful earthquakes.
2. Tsunamis: Subduction zones can also cause tsunamis.
3. Volcanic eruptions: Subduction zones can cause volcanic eruptions.
4. Landslides: Subduction zones can cause landslides.
5. Oceanic trenches: Subduction zones are marked by deep oceanic trenches.
6. Volcanoes: Subduction zones are marked by lines of volcanoes that run parallel to the trenches.
7. Earthquake zones: Subduction zones are marked by zones of large earthquakes that extend from the trenches.
8. Continental crust: Subduction zones form continental crust, which is the outermost layer of Earth's lithosphere.

Subduction zones are located in oceanic basins and can occur when an oceanic plate runs into a continental plate. Subduction zones involving two oceanic plates are most common in the Pacific Ocean.

For example, the Aleutian Islands of Alaska, the Mariana Islands, and the islands of Japan are all island arcs formed by a subduction zone.

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