Ring of Fire

I stretch all the way around a big, blue ocean. I look like a giant, sparkly necklace made of tall mountains and green islands. Sometimes, I feel a little rumble deep down inside, like a sleepy giant waking up for a stretch. I let out little puffs of steam, like a soft sigh. My mountains can get very warm and steamy. I am the Ring of Fire.

Our world is like a giant puzzle. The ground is made of huge pieces that have been moving very, very slowly for a long, long time. I was made where these big puzzle pieces meet and say hello. When they bump and wiggle, they push up the tall mountains that make my necklace sparkle. Some of my mountains are special. They are volcanoes. A long time ago, on May 18th, 1980, one of my mountains woke up with a big surprise. Mount St. Helens let out a giant sneeze of ash and steam that went high, high up into the sky. It was a very rumbly day.

My rumbles might sound a little loud, but they help people, like scientists, learn all about how our Earth works. They listen to my tummy rumbles to understand what is happening deep inside the world. After a big sneeze, the dust that comes out makes the ground super healthy. It helps yummy food grow big and strong and helps tall trees reach for the sun. I am here to remind you that the Earth is powerful and creative. I build new land and make beautiful mountains for everyone to see and enjoy.