Earthquakes and the Ring of Fire

The Ring of Fire is a seismically active area around the Pacific Ocean, home to 90% of the world's earthquakes and 75% of its active volcanoes. Recent earthquakes in Japan and Ecuador, though close in time, are not related but highlight the region's volatility. Tectonic plates, which make up the Earth's crust, cause earthquakes when they slide past each other or collide, forming plate boundaries that can lead to volcanic activity. Despite a recent earthquake in Tonga, unrelated to those in Japan and Ecuador, the increase in global seismic activity is concerning.

What percentage of the world's earthquakes occur in the Ring of Fire?

• 50%

• 70%

• 100%

• 90%

What is the common factor between the earthquakes in Japan and Ecuador?

• They were of the same magnitude

• They are both in the Ring of Fire

• They caused the same number of casualties

• They occurred on the same day

Which shape best describes the Ring of Fire?

• Square

• Circle

• Triangle

• Horseshoe

What percentage of the Earth's active volcanoes are located in the Ring of Fire?

• 25%

• 90%

• 50%

• 75%

What causes earthquakes along the Ring of Fire?

• Tsunamis

• Volcanic eruptions

• Hurricanes

• Tectonic plate movements

What type of plate boundary is formed when plates collide?

• Convergent

• Static

• Transform

• Divergent

What geological feature is created by divergent plate boundaries?

• Mountains

• Rift valleys

• Volcanoes

• Earthquakes

Which recent event in Tonga is mentioned in the transcript?

• A volcanic eruption

• A powerful earthquake

• A tsunami

• A less powerful earthquake

What is the concern regarding global seismic activity in recent years?

• Stability of tectonic plates

• Increase in seismic activity

• Decrease in volcanic eruptions

• Reduction in earthquake frequency