Indonesia's 'Ring of Fire'

Why in News?

Recent eruptions of Mount Anak Krakatau in Indonesia have caused significant disruptions to air travel.

Anak Krakatau

• Anak Krakatau means “Child of Krakatoa.”
• Anak Krakatau emerged in the Sunda Strait, located between the islands of Java and Sumatra.
• The volcano is part of the same volcanic system as the historic Krakatoa (Krakatau) volcano.
• Ongoing volcanic activity at Anak Krakatau demonstrates the persistent volcanism of the Sunda Arc.

• Indonesia contains over 100 active volcanoes, representing the highest concentration of active volcanoes in any country worldwide.
• Situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire, Indonesia is highly susceptible to frequent volcanic eruptions and seismic activity.

"According to the Smithsonian Institution’s Global Volcanism Program, Indonesia, United States, and Japan rank among the countries with the largest numbers of active volcanoes."

Pacific Ring of Fire

• The Ring of Fire is a horseshoe-shaped region that encircles a significant portion of the Pacific Ocean.
• This region is characterized by the following features:
  • Frequent seismic activity
  • A high concentration of active volcanoes
  • Intense tectonic processes
• It primarily associated with tectonic plate boundaries, especially subduction zones.
• Indonesia is located at the intersection of several major tectonic plates, specifically the Indo-Australian, Eurasian (Sunda), and Pacific plates.
• This tectonic setting creates active subduction zones, leading to geological hazards such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and a higher risk of tsunamis.

Reference

Economic Times | Indonesia's 'Ring of Fire'