How much of the Earth is volcanic?
More than 80 percent of the Earth’s surface — above and below sea level — is of volcanic origin. Gaseous emissions from volcanic vents over hundreds of millions of years formed the Earth’s earliest oceans and atmosphere, which supplied the ingredients vital to evolve and sustain life. Over geologic eons, countless volcanic eruptions have produced mountains, plateaus, and plains, which subsequent erosion and weathering have sculpted into majestic landscapes and formed fertile soils. — From: Tilling, 1985, Volcanoes: USGS General Interest Publication. How many active volcanoes are there in the world? About 500 active volcanoes are known on Earth, not counting those that lie beneath the sea. — From: Tilling, 1980, Volcanoes: Earthquake Information Bulletin, v.12, n.4. What is the “Ring of Fire”? Volcanoes are not randomly distributed over the Earth’s surface. Most are concentrated on the edges of continents, along island chains, or beneath the sea forming long mountain ranges. More th
