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Russia earthquake today: A strong 7.0-magnitude quake that occurred close to Russia's Kuril Islands on Sunday, and the historic eruption of Krasheninnikov volcano in Kamchatka, has revived global concerns about the Pacific Ring of Fireone of the world’s most volatile seismic zones. With numerous quakes and volcanic eruptions happening within days of each other, geologists are raising alarms over heightened geological instability in the region.

What is the Pacific Ring of Fire and Why It's a Global Concern

The Pacific Ring of Fire is a horseshoe-shaped belt of seismicity 40,000 kilometres in length that encircles the Pacific Ocean, from Chile and the west coast of the Americas to Japan, Southeast Asia, and New Zealand. It is not a specifically defined scientific term, but is used everywhere to refer to this seismically active region. The Ring of Fire encompasses highly populated areas like Tokyo, Manila, Santiago, and San Francisco, placing hundreds of millions at perpetual danger. The' Pacific Ring Of Fire' is not a formally defined scientific term, but is universally used to describe this tectonically active zone.
• It is responsible for 90 per cent of the world’s earthquakes.
• Around 75 per cent of volcanoes on Earth lie within this belt.
• It sits atop multiple subduction zones, where one tectonic plate is forced beneath another—causing immense seismic pressure.

The biggest disasters attributable to this belt are the 2011 Japan tsunami and Fukushima nuclear accident, the 1960 Chile earthquake (magnitude 9.5—the highest ever recorded), and the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which claimed more than 230,000 lives. According to seismologists, the Pacific Plate, Earth’s largest tectonic plate, connects with several smaller plates here, generating earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and sometimes tsunamis. Most of the boundaries in this region are subduction zones, where one tectonic plate is forced beneath another into the Earth’s mantle. This generates:

• Earthquakes: Sudden shifts along faults release massive energy, often resulting in devastating ground shaking.
• Volcanoes: As one plate sinks, it melts and forms magma, which rises to create explosive volcanic eruptions.
• Tsunamis: Undersea earthquakes can displace massive volumes of water, generating destructive waves that travel across oceans.

Advanced seismic networks and early warning tsunami systems have greatly enhanced disaster preparedness in Ring of Fire countries. Global partnerships enable nations to exchange seismic data and best practices. Nonetheless, specialists caution that there remain readiness gaps, particularly in remote or less developed areas along the ring. Seismic patterns over long periods, dating to the 1600s, are now being analyzed using historical earthquake and tsunami records. "We can't predict earthquakes with certainty," states Michael Blanpied of the US Geological Survey. "But we can expect regions with increased risk and plan for that."

Earthquake Near Kuril Islands Triggers Tsunami Warnings

The 7.0-magnitude earthquake that struck near the Kuril Islands on Sunday morning was shallow, just 10 kilometers deep, making it more prone to surface damage and potential aftershocks. The Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations issued a tsunami warning for coastal areas in Kamchatka, urging residents to stay away from shorelines. While wave heights were expected to be low, the warning underscored the area’s vulnerability.

ALSO READ: Russia Earthquake: Powerful 6.7 Quake Strikes Kuril Region, Second Major Tectonic Activity In A Week Sparks Ring Of Fire Alert

Russia's Krasheninnikov volcano erupted on August 2 for the first time in recorded history, releasing a 6,000-meter ash plume into the air. The volcano, located on the Kamchatka Peninsula, had been dormant for more than 600 years, and thus its eruption is significant historically. Only days before, on July 30, the Klyuchevskoy volcano, a towering and highly active one of Eurasia, also blew, sending out lava and an enormous ash cloud over eastern Russia. The dual eruptions followed closely on the heels of an 8.8-magnitude megathrust earthquake that was logged off Kamchatka's coast—yet further adding fuel to speculation of an association between deep-sea tectonic activity and surface-level re-activation of volcanoes. "We are observing a sequence of geological processes that might be interconnected," cautioned Olga Girina, chief of the Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team. The aviation authorities have raised an orange alert for the area, cautioning airlines operating on the North Pacific route to stay clear of affected airspace as ash clouds pose a risk to flights.

ALSO READ: Tsunami Alert Issued In Kamchatka After 7.0 Earthquake Jolts Russia’s Kuril Islands

The Russian Academy of Sciences has warned that aftershocks from the recent earthquake are to be expected for weeks, and additional volcanic unrest cannot be excluded. The combination of a rare volcanic stirring, a megathrust earthquake, and an ongoing tsunami threat means this is one of the most worrisome sets of seismic activity in years. Pacific Rim authorities, from Japan to Chile, are on high alert. Geologists stress the importance of constant monitoring and preparedness in the community.