A Deep Dive into the World’s Most Active Earthquake Zones and Their Impact

Three primary earthquake zones are responsible for the majority of the world’s earthquakes: The Ring of Fire, The Alpide Belt, and The Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

Myanmar recently experienced a massive earthquake that has left hundreds feared dead, with the toll continuing to rise, and property damage amounting to billions. This event has once again brought attention to the most discussed earthquake yet to occur — one that many believe is inevitable, although its exact timing is uncertain. Known simply as “The Big One,” this earthquake is anticipated to strike at some point in the future, but when and where remain unknown.

While earthquakes can happen without warning anywhere on Earth, some regions are more vulnerable to seismic activity. Three primary earthquake zones are responsible for the majority of the world’s earthquakes: The Ring of Fire, The Alpide Belt, and The Mid-Atlantic Ridge. These zones are home to tectonic plates that interact, either colliding or sliding beneath one another, leading to frequent seismic events.

The Pacific Ring of Fire

The Ring of Fire, or the Circum-Pacific Seismic Belt, is the largest and most active earthquake zone, stretching over about 24,900 miles (40,000 kilometers). This belt is responsible for around 81% of the world’s most powerful earthquakes. The Ring of Fire begins in Chile and travels north along the Pacific coasts of South America, Central America, and North America, up to Alaska. It then shifts westward, covering the Aleutian Islands, Japan, the Philippines, New Guinea, and the Southwest Pacific Islands, finally reaching New Zealand.

This seismic belt has witnessed some of the most catastrophic earthquakes in history, including the 1960 Chile earthquake (magnitude 9.5), the 1964 Alaska earthquake (magnitude 9.2), and the 2011 Japan earthquake (magnitude 9.0). Earthquakes here are caused by shifts and ruptures along tectonic plate boundaries, which also lead to volcanic eruptions and the formation of mountains and ocean trenches. The Ring of Fire is home to over 450 volcanoes, including iconic ones like Mount Fuji (Japan), Mount Saint Helens (Washington), and Mount Ruapehu (New Zealand).

The Alpide Belt

Responsible for about 17% of the world’s earthquakes, the Alpide Belt extends for approximately 9,300 miles (15,000 kilometers). This belt runs from the Indonesian islands of Java and Sumatra in Southeast Asia, through the Himalayan region of the Indian subcontinent, across Central Asia, and into the Mediterranean Sea, extending to the Atlantic Ocean. The tectonic collision of the Indian, Arabian, and African plates with the Eurasian plate causes intense seismic activity in this region. Some of the most prominent mountain ranges along the Alpide Belt include the Himalayas, Alps, and Atlas Mountains.

Significant earthquakes in this region include the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake (magnitude 9.1), which triggered a devastating tsunami, and the 2005 Pakistan earthquake (magnitude 7.6), which resulted in over 80,000 deaths. In 2023, a powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Turkey and Syria, killing over 55,000 people.

The Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Stretching for about 10,000 miles (16,000 kilometers) through the Atlantic Ocean, the Mid-Atlantic Ridge is another major seismic zone. This ridge runs from the Arctic Ocean in the north all the way to the southern tip of Africa. The ridge is a divergent plate boundary where tectonic plates are slowly moving apart, causing magma to rise from beneath the Earth’s crust and form new land. As the plates are spreading apart, this causes volcanic and earthquake activity.

Although most of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge lies in the ocean, islands such as Iceland, St. Helena, and the Azores are located on this ridge and experience earthquakes, sometimes reaching magnitudes of up to 6.9. Iceland, in particular, experiences frequent seismic activity, with earthquakes measuring 5.9 and 5.8 striking in 2008, although there were no casualties.

Earthquakes Beyond the Major Zones

While the majority of the world’s earthquakes occur within the major seismic zones, some have struck outside these regions. For example, the 1886 Charleston earthquake in South Carolina and the 1811-1812 New Madrid earthquakes in Missouri were significant events in areas not typically associated with high seismic activity.