. Earth Science News .
SHAKE AND BLOW
Volcanos, earthquakes: Is the 'Ring of Fire' alight?
by Staff Writers
Tokyo (AFP) Jan 26, 2018


A volcanic eruption in the Philippines forces mass evacuations, while another in Japan kills one person. Across the Pacific, a 7.9 magnitude earthquake hits off Alaska. So what's the link?

The spate of activity around the so-called Ring of Fire has raised concerns that a major and potentially deadly volcanic eruption or earthquake could be on the way. Here is what the experts say:

- Where are these events happening? -

The recent volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occurred along a belt that runs around the Pacific Ocean and is known as the "Ring of Fire."

Reaching from Indonesia to the coast of Chile in a 40,000 kilometre (25,000 mile) arc, the belt is home to most of the world's active and dormant volcanos and is where the vast majority of earthquakes occur.

It is an interconnected circle of fault lines -- cracks in the Earth's hardened upper crust -- which are under constant pressure from super-hot molten rock beneath.

Occasionally the fissures give in and explode, creating volcanic eruptions and causing the land on either side of the fault line to shift and buckle violently, triggering earthquakes.

- Why are they happening now? -

Earthquakes occur around the Ring of Fire on a daily basis, but the recent string of quakes and eruptions sparked talk of an uptick, with the UN's Office for Disaster Risk Reduction tweeting that the Ring of Fire was "active".

"The Pacific rim is in a period of activity," acknowledged Toshiyasu Nagao, head of Tokai University's Earthquake Prediction Research Centre.

"In terms of volcanic history, however, the current activity is still regarded as normal," he told AFP.

"It's not referred to as the 'ring of fire' because it sits there doing nothing... it is normal to have so much activity," tweeted volcanologist Janine Krippner.

- Are these events linked? -

The recent spectacular eruptions and earthquakes have caused some speculation about a potential "domino effect," but experts say that simply isn't how the Ring of Fire works.

"Volcanic activity at each volcano is not correlated," said Yosuki Aoki, assistant professor of physical volcanology at the University of Tokyo.

He said volcanos "cycle through active and inactive periods, and this is part of it."

"I don't think something abnormal is taking place."

"This is pretty normal activity for Earth, the media is just reporting on more of them right now," Krippner added on her Twitter account.

- Will there be more? -

The Ring of Fire has produced the world's strongest recorded earthquake and volcanic eruption, but experts say the recent activity does not necessarily presage a major natural disaster.

"We cannot predict earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Earth science has not developed that far," said Shinji Toda, professor at the International Research Institute of Disaster Science at Tohoku University.

"Such predictions are often made routinely after major events. If you say that everyday for a long time, naturally you will get it right at some point."

Nagao said the volcanic activity seen in Japan could continue, but that the region was experiencing a relatively quiet period for earthquakes.

"In terms of earthquakes, the region is not that active now."

"There was an earthquake in Alaska the other day, but quakes with such strength have occurred regularly in the region."

SHAKE AND BLOW
Philippines plans forced evacuations from erupting volcano
Legazpi, Philippines (AFP) Jan 25, 2018
Philippine authorities said Thursday they will remove by force people who have refused to leave a no-go zone around an erupting volcano, as they seek to avoid casualties after tens of thousands of others fled to safety. There have been no deaths in the 10 days since Mount Mayon began belching flaming lava, superheated rocks and ash, causing 75,450 residents to flee surrounding farms and comm ... read more

Related Links
Bringing Order To A World Of Disasters
When the Earth Quakes
A world of storm and tempest


Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly


paypal only


Comment using your Disqus, Facebook, Google or Twitter login.

Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

SHAKE AND BLOW
Climate engineering, once started, would have severe impacts if stopped

Nuclear concerns push 'Doomsday Clock' closer to midnight

Jihadist corpses poison life in Iraq's Mosul

World Bank signs $300m loan for Nepal quake reconstruction

SHAKE AND BLOW
Scientists achieve high power with new smaller laser

Self-healing fungi concrete could provide sustainable solution to crumbling infrastructure

Quantum control

Ultra-thin memory storage device paves way for more powerful computing

SHAKE AND BLOW
Seabed mining could destroy ecosystems

Small hydroelectric dams increase globally with little research, regulations

Global fish passage forum to include first symposium on hydropower and fish

Panic and blame as Cape Town braces for water shut-off

SHAKE AND BLOW
Mothers and young struggle as Arctic warms

Warming Arctic climate constrains life in cold-adapted mammals

Eocene fossil data suggest climate models may underestimate polar warming

Coping with climate stress in Antarctica

SHAKE AND BLOW
Dairy sector trembles at EU powdered milk mountain

Researchers reveal how microbes cope in phosphorus-deficient tropical soil

Root discovery may lead to crops that need less fertilizer

Ancient rice heralds a new future for rice production

SHAKE AND BLOW
Fresh tremors halt search ops after Japan volcano eruption

One dead as volcano erupts near Japan ski resort

Powerful quake hits off Alaska, but tsunami threat lifted

Unremarkable crystals that could help predict volcanic eruptions

SHAKE AND BLOW
Two customs officers killed in Mali 'jihadist' attack

Somali forces kill boys in anti-Shabaab operation: US

US calls for South Sudan arms embargo after failed truce

S.Africa in 'new era', likely next president tells Davos

SHAKE AND BLOW
First came Homo sapiens, then came the modern brain

Fossil found in Israel suggests Homo sapiens left Africa 180,000 years ago

Cultural evolution has not freed hunter-gatherers from environmental forcing

Bonobos prefer jerks









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.