MCQ Detailed View

The Pacific Ocean is known as the “Ring of Fire”, a term that refers to the horseshoe-shaped zone surrounding its edges where intense geological activity takes place. This region is home to about 75% of the world’s active and dormant volcanoes and experiences nearly 90% of the world’s earthquakes.

The Ring of Fire is formed due to the movement of tectonic plates, the massive slabs of Earth’s lithosphere that float on the semi-molten asthenosphere beneath them. Along the Pacific Ocean’s boundaries, these plates constantly collide, separate, or slide past one another. This interaction creates subduction zones, deep ocean trenches, volcanic arcs, and earthquake-prone regions.

For example, the Nazca Plate subducts beneath the South American Plate, forming the Andes Mountains and associated volcanoes. In Japan and the Philippines, the collision of oceanic and continental plates has produced chains of volcanic islands. Similarly, the west coast of North America, from California up to Alaska, lies on active fault lines, including the famous San Andreas Fault.

Volcanoes such as Mount Fuji in Japan, Mount St. Helens in the United States, Krakatoa in Indonesia, and Mauna Loa in Hawaii are all part of this Pacific Ring of Fire system. The frequent volcanic eruptions and earthquakes in this region highlight its geological importance.

The Ring of Fire is also crucial for scientists because it provides insight into the processes of plate tectonics, mountain building, and the recycling of Earth’s crust. Additionally, it has significant human impact, as millions of people live in regions prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Therefore, the correct answer is Pacific Ocean (Option B). Its unique geology makes it the most seismically active region on Earth, earning it the name “Ring of Fire.”