Sasha Says - Pacific Ring of Fire

<p>Podcast summary:</p> <p>The Pacific Ring of Fire is known as the area around the edges of the Pacific tectonic plate where there is concentrated earthquake and volcanic activity. &nbsp;</p> <p>These earthquakes and volcanoes happen as a result of the Pacific Plate crashing against, subducting beneath and sliding against neighbouring tectonic plates.</p> <p>In New Zealand, the Pacific Ring of Fire is where the Pacific Plate abuts the Indo-Australian Plate. &nbsp;To the east of the North Island this happens in the Hikurangi subduction zone where the Pacific Plate is subducted beneath the Indo-Australian Plate. &nbsp;The result is earthquakes and volcanism. &nbsp;</p> <p>To the South of the South Island there is subduction (in the opposite direction to that happening off the North Island).</p> <p>In between these subduction zones, through the South Island, the margin of the Pacific and Indo-Australian Plates is marked by the Alpine Fault. &nbsp;This has uplift (mountain building) as well as sideways movement. &nbsp;This mountain building process is called the Kaikoura Orogeny which started 25 million years ago. &nbsp;Tune in next week to learn more about the Kaikoura Orogeny!</p>