Ring of Fire

American  

noun

Geology.

1. Also called Circum-Pacific belt.  the linear zone of seismic and volcanic activity that coincides in general with the margins of the Pacific Plate.

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Etymology

Origin of Ring of Fire

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Ring of Fire

Their analysis suggests that water had traveled far beneath the surface before contributing to the formation of magma that fed volcanoes resembling those found around the Pacific "Ring of Fire" today.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 13, 2026

Guatemala lies on the Pacific "Ring of Fire" and experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity.

From Barron's ● Aug. 4, 2026

Japan's precarious location on the Ring of Fire means it experiences about 1,500 earthquakes a year, and accounts for 10% of quakes measuring 6.0 magnitude or higher worldwide.

From BBC ● Apr. 20, 2026

“Taiwan’s geography adds another layer of vulnerability, as the Pacific Ring of Fire exposes production to earthquakes, tsunamis and severe weather events,” says Helfstein.

From MarketWatch ● Jan. 16, 2026

Because these faults produce volcanic activity, the arc has become known as the Ring of Fire.

From "Meltdown" by Deirdre Langeland