Why there's a ring of natural disasters around the Pacific

Summary

The video script explores the Ring of Fire, a seismically active region around the Pacific Ocean where most of the world's volcanoes and earthquakes occur. It discusses recent volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, the historical understanding of these phenomena, and the tectonic plate movements causing them. The script also highlights the unpredictability of these events and the importance of preparedness through building codes and early warning systems, emphasizing the need for continued study and adaptation to these natural forces.

Takeaways

• 🌋 Volcanic Activity: The script describes several volcanic eruptions, including Mount Mayon in the Philippines, Mount Sinabung in Indonesia, and an eruption in Guatemala that resulted in over 100 deaths.
• 🌍 Ring of Fire: It highlights the Ring of Fire, a region around the Pacific Ocean where many volcanoes and earthquakes occur, spanning 40,000 kilometers.
• 🔍 Volcanic Frequency: On average, 10 to 20 volcanoes are erupting worldwide at any given time, indicating the commonality of volcanic activity.
• 🌏 Tectonic Plates: The movement and interaction of tectonic plates, particularly along the Pacific, are identified as the cause of the Ring of Fire's seismic activity.
• 🏙️ Global Impact: The script mentions the impact of these natural disasters, including the potential for large-scale devastation and the importance of preparedness.
• 🏛️ Historical Recognition: The awareness of volcanic activity has been recognized since the 1800s, with early maps indicating known volcanic regions.
• 🛠️ Building Codes: The importance of anti-earthquake building designs and early warning systems is emphasized, as seen in Japan's preparedness measures.
• ⏳ Predictive Challenges: Geologists face difficulties in accurately predicting volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, which poses a significant challenge for disaster preparedness.
• 🌳 Natural Patterns: The script suggests that studying past events can help forecast future seismic activities, although with limitations in precision.
• 🏡 Infrastructure and Economy: The varying quality and implementation of anti-earthquake building codes and the lack of early warning systems in different countries are highlighted as concerns.
• 🚨 Awareness and Preparedness: The script concludes with a call for improved awareness and preparedness for natural disasters in the Ring of Fire region.

Q & A

What significant event occurred at Mount Mayon in the Philippines in January?

Mount Mayon in the Philippines erupted in January, and the eruption continued for over a month.

What is the average number of volcanoes erupting worldwide at any given time?

On average, there are 10 to 20 volcanoes erupting around the world at any given time.

What is the term used to describe the region along the edges of the Pacific Ocean with a high concentration of volcanoes?

This region is known as the Ring of Fire.

How many kilometers does the Ring of Fire span?

The Ring of Fire spans 40,000 kilometers.

What types of natural disasters are commonly associated with the Ring of Fire?

The Ring of Fire is associated with most of the world's earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions.

How many eruptions and major earthquakes occurred in the Ring of Fire region in the year mentioned in the script?

In that year alone, the region saw 4 volcanic eruptions and 5 of the world's biggest earthquakes.

What is the scientific explanation for the volcanic and seismic activity in the Ring of Fire?

The Ring of Fire is the result of tectonic plates crashing into each other.

Why are there many volcanoes in Mexico and along the west coast of the United States?

The Pacific plate is moving faster than other plates and is crashing into or grinding past the North American plate, causing volcanic and seismic activity in these regions.

What major earthquake event is mentioned as having occurred in California?

The San Francisco-Oakland earthquake in 1989 is mentioned, which resulted in 63 deaths and nearly 4,000 injuries.

Why is it difficult for geologists to accurately predict volcanic eruptions and earthquakes?

Geologists can monitor signs like tremors, gas emissions, and temperature changes, but they cannot predict the exact timing or severity of eruptions or earthquakes.

What measures can countries take to mitigate the impact of natural disasters in the Ring of Fire?

Countries can enforce anti-earthquake building designs and develop early warning systems to save lives and reduce damages.

Why do some countries struggle to implement effective disaster preparedness measures?

Factors such as lack of funding, inconsistent quality and implementation of building codes, and insufficient public awareness contribute to the struggle in implementing disaster preparedness measures.

What is the current status of early-warning systems for earthquakes in the United States?

Some of the most vulnerable states in the US, like California, Oregon, and Washington, still don’t have a public early-warning system in place.

Outlines

00:00

🌋 Volcanic Eruptions and the Ring of Fire

This paragraph discusses the frequent volcanic activity around the world, highlighting specific eruptions in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Guatemala. It introduces the concept of the Ring of Fire, a 40,000-kilometer region along the Pacific Ocean where most of the world's volcanoes and earthquakes occur. The paragraph explains that this is due to the movement of tectonic plates and the stress they create when they collide. It also touches on the historical recognition of this volcanic belt and the scientific understanding that developed over time regarding plate tectonics.

05:02

🏗️ Earthquake Preparedness and the Ring of Fire's Challenges

The second paragraph delves into the unpredictability of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions in the Ring of Fire. It emphasizes the inability of geologists to accurately predict these natural disasters, despite monitoring efforts. The paragraph provides examples of how historical data can inform predictions, such as the expected frequency of earthquakes in New Zealand. It also discusses the varying levels of preparedness among countries within the Ring of Fire, noting the effectiveness of Japan's anti-earthquake building codes and early warning systems. The paragraph highlights the disparity in preparedness, with some countries lacking the necessary infrastructure and others not taking the risks seriously enough, despite the inevitability of future disasters.

Keywords

💡Eruption

Eruption refers to the process where a volcano forcefully expels lava, ash, and gases. It is central to the video's theme as it discusses multiple volcanic eruptions, such as Mount Mayon in the Philippines and Mount Sinabung in Indonesia, which are part of the natural disasters occurring in the Ring of Fire.

💡Ring of Fire

The Ring of Fire is a horseshoe-shaped region around the Pacific Ocean that is known for its high volcanic and seismic activity. It is a key concept in the video, illustrating the concentration of volcanoes and earthquakes, which are the main focus of the script's discussion on natural disasters.

💡Tectonic Plates

Tectonic plates are large slabs of the Earth's lithosphere that move and interact with each other. The video explains that the Ring of Fire's volcanic and earthquake activity is a result of these plates crashing into each other, a fundamental concept in understanding the geological processes behind the events discussed.

💡Volcano

A volcano is a rupture in the Earth's surface that allows hot lava, volcanic ash, and gases to escape from below the ground. The video uses the term to describe various natural disasters, emphasizing the destructive power of these geological features.

💡Earthquake

An earthquake is the shaking of the Earth's surface caused by the sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust. The script mentions several major earthquakes in the Ring of Fire, highlighting the unpredictability and potential for devastation of these seismic events.

💡San Andreas Fault

The San Andreas Fault is a major fault line in California where the Pacific Plate is grinding past the North American Plate. The video uses it as an example of where earthquakes frequently occur due to the interaction of tectonic plates.

💡Seismically Active

Seismically active refers to areas where earthquakes and volcanic activity are common. The video describes the Ring of Fire as the most seismically active region in the world, emphasizing the frequent natural disasters in this area.

💡Prediction

Prediction in the context of the video refers to the scientific attempts to forecast volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. The script explains the limitations of these predictions, noting that while scientists can estimate, they cannot accurately predict the exact timing or severity of these events.

💡Natural Disaster

A natural disaster is an event caused by natural processes of the Earth, such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and tsunamis. The video's theme revolves around the natural disasters occurring in the Ring of Fire, which pose significant risks to human populations and infrastructure.

💡Early Warning System

An early warning system is a tool used to alert people to imminent natural disasters, giving them time to prepare or evacuate. The video discusses the importance of such systems in saving lives, using Japan's system as an example, and notes the lack of them in many countries within the Ring of Fire.

💡Prevention Measures

Prevention measures are actions taken to reduce the impact of disasters. The script mentions building codes and early warning systems as examples of how countries can prepare for and mitigate the effects of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Highlights

Mount Mayon in the Philippines erupted in January, continuing for over a month.

Mount Sinabung in Indonesia erupted in February, with its ash cloud visible from space.

An eruption in Guatemala in June resulted in the death of over 100 people.

On average, 10 to 20 volcanoes are erupting worldwide at any given time.

Volcanoes are predominantly concentrated along the edges of the Pacific Ocean, known as the Ring of Fire.

The Ring of Fire is a 40,000-kilometer stretch with hundreds of volcanoes and the site of most global earthquakes and tsunamis.

The region experienced 4 eruptions and 5 of the world's largest earthquakes in a single year.

Volcanoes have been terrorizing people for centuries, and their distribution was first mapped in the 1800s.

By the 1960s, scientists concluded that the Earth's surface is composed of tectonic plates that move into and apart from each other.

The Ring of Fire is formed by the collision of these tectonic plates.

Geologists cannot accurately predict when a volcano will erupt or an earthquake will occur.

Predictions of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes are based on monitoring and historical patterns.

Japan has implemented anti-earthquake building designs and an early warning system for natural disasters.

Many countries along the Ring of Fire lack the early warning systems and consistent building codes seen in Japan.

Despite the inevitability of future disasters, governments often prioritize them as low risk, leading to insufficient preparedness.

Future studies aim to improve understanding of Earth's interior and help people adapt to natural phenomena.

Transcripts

"Offer a magnificent view of nature's greatest power display."

Mount Mayon in the Philippines erupted in January.

It continued for over a month.

In February, Mount Sinabung erupted in Indonesia.

Here’s the ash cloud as seen from space.

And in June an eruption in Guatemala killed more than 100 people.

Turns out this is pretty normal.

On average, there are 10 to 20 volcanoes erupting around the world at any given time.

When you look at these on a map and add volcanoes that are not currently erupting,

you'll start to see a pattern.

Most are concentrated here, along the edges of the Pacific Ocean.

This region is known as the Ring of Fire, a stretch of hundreds of volcanoes spanning

40,000 kilometers.

It’s also where most of the earthquakes and tsunamis in the world take place.

This year alone, the region saw 4 eruptions and 5 of the world's biggest earthquakes .

The Ring of Fire is where some of history’s most devastating natural disasters have happened

and will continue to happen.

"There are still some volcanoes around the world

in various places. Do you know where they are?

Here's a map, see if you can find some."

Volcanoes have terrorized people for centuries.

In the 1800s, explorers and scientists started grouping them together.

Take a look at this map from 1852.

It has “the volcanic series of Australia”.

And "the volcanic series of Japan and Kamchatka, in Russia."

In fact, the whole Ring of Fire is marked here.

Scientists recognized the belt of activity, but it would take another 100 years until

they agreed on what caused it.

"That's right, it's a volcano. Well, you see what you and I are going to talk about today is the world under our feet."

By the 1960s, most scientists concluded the earth’s surface is made up of a series of tectonic plates

that slowly move into and apart from each other.

Take a look at the plates that make up the

Pacific.

Now look at where the eruptions and earthquakes occur.

The Ring of Fire is the result of these plates crashing into each other.

"One in Japan, that's right. Fujiyama. There's some others in the south Pacific.

How about in our part of the world?"

"Mexico." "That's right, there's several in Mexico."

The plates in the Pacific are moving faster than other plates around

the world, adding stress where the plates interact.

This plate is moving northwest, crashing into the North American plate, which explains all

the volcanoes here.

Over in California, the Pacific plate is grinding past the North American Plate -- where they

meet is called the San Andreas Fault.

The movement causes thousands of earthquakes a year.

A few of them are even large enough to cause serious damage.

Like the San Francisco-Oakland earthquake in 1989, which killed 63 people and injured

nearly 4,000.

All these plate interactions are independent

from each other.

But when grouped together, they make up the most seismically active region in the world.

"Remember a little while ago an island blew up and disappeared?" "Oh yeah."

"That was because of a volcano."

The problem with the Ring of Fire is that geologists can’t accurately predict when

a volcano is going to erupt or an earthquake will shake the ground.

They can monitor tremors, gas emissions and temperature changes around a volcano to estimate

when it might erupt, but they can't be sure of the exact timing or the severity.

And those predictions get even weaker with earthquakes which aren't preceded by any warning signs,

so we can't even see them coming.

One way scientists forecast the future of these phenomena is by looking at the past

-- take New Zealand for example:

Earthquakes have occured on this fault line every 500 to 1,000 years.

There was a massive quake over 800 years ago and another one around the 500 mark.

So scientists now believe New Zealand is due for mega quake.

Over here in California, there is a 72% chance of a major earthquake

along northern section of the San Andreas

faultline in the next 30 years.

Parts of Japan have a 25% chance of a big quake and Seattle could see one in the next

50 years that could impact 7 million people.

In fact many countries along the Ring of Fire will continue to be at risk for the foreseeable

future.

They can't get out of harm's way, but there is something they can do about it.

In 2011, an earthquake and a following tsunami, killed 15,000 people and caused $300 billion

in damages in Japan.

But those numbers could’ve been a lot higher.

See, Japan requires buildings be constructed with anti-earthquake designs, like the one

in this video.

And it has an early warning system that stopped high-speed trains, factory lines, and sent

countrywide text alerts a full minute before the tremor hit.

While Japan’s precautions didn’t prevent the disaster, they did save countless lives.

The problem is, not every country in the Ring of Fire is like Japan.

Most of these countries have some form of anti-earthquake building code, but the quality

and implementation of these codes varies.

And none of these countries have early warning systems for earthquakes.

In developing countries, funding these projects can be a problem.

But even richer countries aren’t taking the risk seriously enough.

California, Oregon, Washington. Some of the most vulnerable states in the US, still

don’t have a public early-warning system in place.

Because volcanoes and earthquakes continue to be unpredictable threats, governments tend

to treat them as a low priority.

And that's what makes the Ring of Fire even more dangerous.

We know for certain that there will be more natural disasters along this belt.

What we don't know is if we'll be prepared for them.

"Future studies will surely improve the clarity with which scientists view the interior of the Earth

and will help people accomodate their activities

to these powerful, sometimes destructive, often beneficial, always fascinating neighbors.