The Pacific Ring of Fire is an area in the basin of the Pacific Ocean characterized by active volcanoes and frequent earthquakes. It is caused by tectonic plate movement and friction. The Ring of Fire makes up approximately 40,000 km in length and shapes a horseshoe around the Pacific basin, containing 452 volcanoes. Due to lithospheric plates colliding and rubbing against each other in this region, 80% of the world's earthquakes and over 75% of the world's active and dormant volcanoes are found near the Ring of Fire.