The ‘Ring of Fire’ is a geographical zone characterized by high volcanic activity. Which tectonic plate boundary is primarily responsible for this?
The “Ring of Fire” is primarily caused by convergent plate boundaries, specifically subduction zones. Here, denser oceanic plates slide beneath lighter continental or oceanic plates. This process melts the mantle, generating magma that rises to form volcanic arcs. Consequently, the Pacific Ocean’s perimeter is lined with a continuous chain of explosive stratovolcanoes and frequent seismic activity. ANSWER: (B) Convergent plate boundaries (Subduction)
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The Pacific “Ring of Fire” is a horseshoe-shaped belt resulting from convergent plate boundaries. In these subduction zones, the Pacific Plate and other oceanic plates descend into the mantle. As the subducting slab sinks, it releases water that lowers the melting point of the overlying mantle, creating magma. This “flux melting” fuels the explosive volcanoes characteristic of the region. Spanning approximately 40,000 kilometers, this zone contains over 75% of Earth’s active volcanoes. The interaction between these massive tectonic plates makes the Ring of Fire the most geologically active region globally for both eruptions and earthquakes.