, Student Web Activities, Glencoe World Geography, Glencoe, 2003

:
"The Ring of Fire"

Introduction
Volcanic activity created many of the landforms in the South Pacific, and volcanoes and earthquakes continue to affect the region and its people. About 75 percent of the world's volcanoes cluster along the Ring of Fire, a huge arc of volcanic and earthquake activity along the perimeter of the Pacific Ocean. In this lesson you will learn about the formation of the Ring of Fire and about how volcanoes affect physical geography.

Destination Title: This Dynamic Earth

Directions
Start at the This Dynamic Earth Web site

Click on Understanding Plate Motions. Browse the page, taking notes and studying the illustrations.
Scroll down to the Ring of Fire map. Click on and study the map and caption.
Click on "Contents" at the bottom of the page to return to the home page. Click on and read about Plate Tectonics and People.

Using the information you gathered from this site, answer the following questions.

1. How does the convergence of plates lead to earthquakes? How does the convergence of plates lead to the formation of volcanic islands?

2. What forms the so-called Ring of Fire? Where are volcanic island arcs located in relation to ocean trenches?

3. How are GPS satellites helping geographers learn more about earthquakes and volcanic eruptions in the region?

4. What hazards and benefits exist in the region due to the Ring of Fire?

5. Using your research, create a bulletin board display that illustrates how a volcano forms along the Ring of Fire. Use additional illustrations and captions to explain both the hazardous and beneficial effects of a volcano on its surrounding area. You may want to chart the locations of major volcanic eruptions that have occurred in recent history on your display as well. Share your bulletin board display with the rest of the class.