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What is the "Ring of Fire"?

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Episode:
15

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Public Domain.

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Welcome to CoreFacts, where we're always short on time and big on science. I'm Steve Sobieszczyk. Let's get right to it, today's question is:

What is the "Ring of Fire"?

Volcanoes are not randomly distributed over the Earth's surface. Most are concentrated at the edges of continents, along island chains, or beneath the sea forming long mountain ranges. More than half of the world's active volcanoes above sea level encircle the Pacific Ocean to form the circum-Pacific "Ring of Fire".

And now you know. Join us again tomorrow as we'll give you yet another new CoreFact. If you're interested in previous CoreFacts, or would like to check out CoreCast, our in-depth science podcast, browse over to usgs.gov/podcasts. If you would like to contact us here at the show or submit a question you think we should answer on the air, you can email us at corefacts@usgs.gov or leave us a voicemail at 703-648-5600. Remember, long distance fees do apply.

The USGS CoreFacts is a product of the U.S. Geological Survey, Department of the Interior.

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