Global distribution of active marine volcanic arcs

Global distribution of active marine volcanic arcs (after Worthington 1998). Intra-oceanic arcs commonly are submarine whereas island arcs typically have higher proportions of subaerial volcanoes. Almost 22,000 km of arc front exist globally, with ~20,000 km of that within the western Pacific basin and its boundary seas. Less than 3% of arc front has been surveyed for hydrothermal activity.

Related Links

Submarine Ring of Fire 2003

Submarine Ring of Fire 2003: March 2 Log

NOAA Ocean Explorer Gallery

Download high resolution image (1.5 Mb, jpeg)