Coincidence in the Ring of Fire?

EarthView students know that the island nation of Indonesia -- the world's fourth-most populous country -- is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire. 

The eruption and the earthquake that triggered the tsunami this week occurred 800 miles apart, affecting two separate islands -- Java and Sumatra. They may be related, as have similarly distant events in the past, such as an Alaska earthquake and geyser activity in Yellowstone, Wyoming. Indonesia is the most tectonically active place on Earth, however, so it will be some time before a connection can be proven or discounted.

Learn more about this week's tragedies and the possible connections from National Geographic magazine.

National Geographic photo of damage from 2004 tsunami