Reminder from the "Ring of Fire"

Most of the world's volcanoes are found around the rim of the Pacific Ocean and every so often one of these volcanoes bursts into activity, just as a reminder about the tectonic instability that creates all this volcanic activity.  Chaparrastique, a volcano in El Salvador, has erupted for the first time since 1976.  It isn't a particularly big eruption with the production of hot ash causing the evacuation of surrounding settlements.  Overall it isn't a big event, but it does give us all a reminder about the ever-present potential for volcanic and seismic disaster around the "Pacific Ring of Fire".

It is worth checking out the news story for the video showing the eruption and its plate tectonic setting.