Britannica Sources used in this answer

Which regions are included in the Circum-Pacific mountain system?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

A car drives along the Trans-Canada Highway with Mount Sir Donald's sharp, snow-capped peak rising above forested slopes in the Selkirk Mountains, British Columbia. — mountain Mount Sir Donald in the Selkirk Mountains, British Columbia, looms above a segment of the Trans-Canada Highway.

The Circum-Pacific System, often referred to as the Ring of Fire, is a nearly continuous chain of volcanoes and mountain ranges surrounding the Pacific Ocean. This system includes the following regions:12

The Americas: The system extends along the western coasts of North America—including the Rocky Mountains and coastal ranges—and South America, where it features the Andes Mountains.13
Northwest Pacific: The chain runs from the Aleutian Islands and the Alaska Peninsula through the Kamchatka Peninsula and the Kuril Islands to Japan.14
Southeast Asia and Oceania: The system encompasses the Philippines, Indonesia, New Guinea, and island chains such as the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.134
Southwest Pacific: The belt continues through the Tonga and Kermadec islands to New Zealand, eventually extending toward the Macquarie Ridge.14

These features are primarily formed by the subduction of oceanic lithospheric plates beneath the surrounding continents and islands.1