Massive earthquake hits Taiwan: What is the “Ring of Fire”? | Explained news

Nine people have died and more than 800 others have been injured in Taiwan after the island was hit by the largest earthquake in at least 25 years on Wednesday morning (April 4). While Taiwan's earthquake monitoring agency said the quake's magnitude was 7.2, the US Geological Survey (USGS) estimated its magnitude at 7.4.

The epicenter of the earthquake was only 18 kilometers south-southwest of Hualien County, which is located in eastern Taiwan. Several aftershocks occurred, one of which reached a magnitude of 6.5, according to the US Geological Survey.

It is worth noting that Taiwan is prone to earthquakes because it is located along the Pacific “Ring of Fire” – where 90% of the world's earthquakes occur. The island and surrounding waters have recorded about 2,000 earthquakes of magnitude 4.0 or greater since 1980, and more than 100 earthquakes of magnitude greater than 5.5, according to the US Geological Survey, an Associated Press report said.

Here's a look at the Ring of Fire and why so many earthquakes occur there.

What is a fire ring?

The Ring of Fire is essentially a chain of hundreds of volcanoes and earthquake sites that stretch along the Pacific Ocean. It is a semicircle or horseshoe, and extends for approximately 40,250 kilometers. 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, Philippine, and other smaller plates, all of which surround the Big Pacific. According to a report by National Geographic magazine.

It passes through 15 other countries including the United States of America, Indonesia, Mexico, Japan, Canada, Guatemala, Russia, Chile, Peru and the Philippines.

Pacific ring of fire map. (Credit: USGS) Why is the Ring of Fire vulnerable to earthquakes?

The Ring of Fire experiences a large number of earthquakes due to constant sliding, collision, or movement above or below tectonic plates. Because the edges of these plates are so jagged, they stick together while the rest of the plate continues to move. An earthquake occurs when a plate moves a sufficient distance and its edges separate from a fault.

Taiwan is prone to earthquakes due to the interaction of tectonic plates – the Philippine Sea plate and the Eurasian plate.

Why are there so many volcanoes in the Ring of Fire?

The presence of volcanoes in the Ring of Fire is also due to the movement of tectonic plates. Many volcanoes were formed through a process known as subduction. This occurs when two plates collide with each other and the heavier plate is pushed under the other, creating a deep trench.

“Basically, when there is a 'descending' oceanic plate. [like the Pacific Plate] It is forced into a hotter mantle plate, heats up, and the volatiles mix, creating magma. The magma then rises through the overlying plate and pushes toward the surface,” leading to the formation of volcanoes, according to a DW report.

Most of the planet's subduction zones are located in the “Ring of Fire” and for this reason host a large number of volcanoes.

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