Belize

     Belize does not have any active or dormant volcanoes within its borders, and there is no record of volcanic eruptions in its history. This sets it apart from neighboring countries like Guatemala and El Salvador, which are part of the volcanically active Pacific “Ring of Fire” (Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program, 2023) .      Belize sits near a transform boundary between the North American and Caribbean tectonic plates. These boundaries typically generate earthquakes rather than volcanic eruptions. Due to this, volcanic activity is not a significant concern for Belize, even though eruptions in nearby countries can occasionally impact the wider Central American region through ashfall or regional hazards (USGS, 2023) .      Instead of monitoring for eruptions, Belize focuses its disaster preparedness efforts on other natural hazards, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, and flooding. The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) lead...

       Belize is a small country located in Central America, bordered by Mexico, Guatemala, and the Caribbean Sea. Central America lies south of the United States in North America and is known for its diverse ecosystems and cultural heritage.       Belize is uniquely situated at the intersection of the North American and Caribbean tectonic plates, which create a transform boundary. At this boundary, the plates slide past one another, a movement that can lead to earthquakes. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS ), Belize experiences relatively low levels of seismic activity compared to its neighbors, but it is still at risk from regional earthquakes that occur along the fault system in nearby Guatemala and Honduras.      Tectonic plates are large, rigid segments of the Earth's outer shell, known as the lithosphere, which is divided into approximately 15 pieces. These plates float and move slightly over the molten la...