Chosen Answer:
About 90% of earthquake energy originates from the circum pacific belt, also known as the pacific ring of fire. The ring of fire is not really ring shaped, it is similar in shape to a horseshoe and extends roughly 25,000 miles in length. This area has produced roughly 80% of the world’s largest earthquakes in recorded history. Western United States, Japan, Western South America, New Zealand, Eastern Asia, etc. are all countries affected by the ring of fire. As far as damage goes, that differs significantly between different areas. Factors that influence the amount of earthquake damage and death include: population density, construction methods, materials used in construction, materials built on, duration and intensity of seismic activity, distance from the epicenter, time of day, response time and efficiency of emergency and rescue personnel, etc. It is difficult to find statistics regarding earthquake damage around the pacific ring of fire without focusing on specific earthquakes.
Check out this link for some general information and statistics regarding earthquakes.
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/facts.php
by: Mike
on: 28th April 13
