Context:
Recently, Indonesia’s Mount Marapi in West Sumatra province erupted, spewing white-and-grey ash plumes for more than 3,000 metres (about 9,800 feet) into the air.
Relevance:
GS I: Geography
Dimensions of the Article:
- Mount Marapi
- Pacific Ring of Fire
Mount Marapi:
- Location: Mount Marapi is situated in West Sumatra and should not be confused with Mount Merapi in Java.
- Meaning of Name: Its name, “Marapi,” translates to “Mountain of Fire.”
- Activity: Mount Marapi is renowned for its high level of activity, having recorded over 60 eruptions since the late 18th century. It holds the distinction of being the most active volcano in Sumatra.
Pacific Ring of Fire:
- Definition: The Pacific Ring of Fire, also known as the Circum-Pacific Belt, is a geographical region surrounding the Pacific Ocean characterized by the presence of active volcanoes and frequent seismic activity, including earthquakes.
- Length: This geological belt spans approximately 40,000 kilometers (24,900 miles).
- Tectonic Plates: The Ring of Fire is associated with the boundaries of several tectonic plates, including the Pacific Plate, Juan de Fuca Plate, Cocos Plate, Indian-Australian Plate, Nazca Plate, North American Plate, and Philippine Plate. These interactions between tectonic plates contribute to the region’s geological activity.
-Source: The Hindu
