The Ring of Fire, a renowned geological feature along the Pacific Ocean, is known for its high concentration of volcanoes and earthquakes. However, experts are now suggesting that the Atlantic Ocean might be on its way to forming a similar phenomenon.
For the Atlantic to develop its own 'Ring of Fire,' new subduction zones must emerge within it. Subduction zones are areas where tectonic plates collide, with one plate sliding beneath the other, leading to volcanic activity due to the formation of magma near the Earth's surface.
While the Pacific Ring of Fire is characterized by numerous subduction zones, the Atlantic has been relatively stable. Recent research indicates that a subduction zone under the Strait of Gibraltar, known as the Gibraltar Arc, could potentially extend into the Atlantic, creating a line of volcanoes along the coastlines of Africa and Iberia.
Although this process is expected to take millions of years, advanced geodynamic models suggest that the Gibraltar Arc will eventually propagate further into the Atlantic, potentially forming an 'Atlantic Ring of Fire.'
Unlike existing subduction zones in the Atlantic, such as the Lesser Antilles and Scotia Arc, which formed millions of years ago, the Gibraltar Arc is still in its early stages of development. This ongoing geological process could lead to the eventual closure of the Atlantic Ocean, while another ocean, possibly the Indian Ocean, may open up in the future.
While the formation of a new 'Ring of Fire' in the Atlantic is a fascinating prospect, it is a long-term geological event that will unfold over millions of years. For now, the Pacific Ring of Fire remains the primary hotspot for volcanic and seismic activity, offering a unique glimpse into the Earth's dynamic geology.
