The Pacific Ring of Fire is a horseshoe shaped area surrounding the Pacific Ocean that experiences significant seismic and volcanic activity due to tectonic plate movement. Major plate boundaries like the subduction of the Pacific plate cause volcanoes and earthquakes that have impacted billions and cost billions. The Ring of Fire is responsible for events like the 1991 Mt. Pinatubo eruption and the 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami that killed over 10,000 people annually and cost billions.