Closed Captioned
Grades 8-12, College, Adult
Directed by Michael Allder
Produced by Michael Allder and Gordon Henderson
DVD Purchase $250, Rent $85
US Release Date: 2012
Copyright Date: 2010
DVD ISBN: 1-93777-231-4
Subjects
African Studies
Anthropology
Asian Studies
Earth Science
Environment
Geography
Geology
History
Oceans and Coasts
Plate Tectonics
Science
Technology
Society
Sociology
Awards and Festivals
2012 Science Books & Films Best List
The Western Pacific Rim
Examines the western Pacific Rim, home to 50% of the world's active volcanoes, and 90% of its earthquakes.
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"Can spark excellent discussion about the hazards and benefits of living along active plate boundaries." Dr. Norman Sleep, Professor of Geophysics, Stanford University |
The Pacific Rim is home to half the world's active volcanoes and 90 per cent of its earthquakes, yet nearly 800 million people live at its violent edge. This episode focuses on the Asia-Pacific side of the Pacific Ring of Fire, a living testament to the beauty and danger that geologic forces can deliver.
Our journey begins in New Zealand where we find a 500-kilometre long slip-strike fault deep under the Pacific Ocean. And in Japan we scale the iconic peak of Mount Fuji and discover new ways to monitor, and hopefully one day predict, seismic activity.
The other titles in the series are:
Tectonic Europe - Examines the Earth's surface under pressure, from Iceland to the Alps, landscapes that inspired scientists to invent the study of geology.
Along The African Rift - Examines the East African Rift, Ethiopia's Afar Triangle, the Nile Valley and the Dead Sea Rift, places where the Earth's crust is ripping apart as molten rock pushes upwards.
The Pacific Rim: Americas - From the glaciers of Alaska to the Andes of Chile, the relentless subterranean forces that formed the eastern Pacific Rim have convulsed our cities and overshadow our future.
The Collision Zone: Asia - Examines the collision zone in Asia--from Indonesia's volcanoes at one end to the Himalayas at the other--which is in the process of forming the earth's next supercontinent.
Reviews
"This is where fire meets ice, from New Zealand to Japan. The Western Pacific Rim features stunning vistas, wrenching human narratives, and recent and historic footage of the activity of volcanoes and glaciers...This is an engaging geo travelog that is suitable for nature enthusiasts and as well as a platform for beginning geology students. Use the film as a regional vignette or watch a full length thematic narrative that highlights volcanic processes and their past and recent impact on humans along the Pacific's western rim."
"The Western Pacific Rim and The Pacific Rim: Americas are excellent for civics and history classes. Throughout history, individuals and society have lived with natural hazards to garner natural resources. The modern construct of plate tectonics rationally explains the occurrence of earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanoes on the Pacific Rim along with mineral and agricultural bounty, access to the ocean, and picturesque scenery. The interviews in the series clearly illustrate how informed people address this trade-off. Both titles in the series can spark excellent discussion about the hazards and benefits of living along active plate boundaries."
"Blends the latest geologic findings with captivating cinematography, bringing the viewer on a worldwide tour of the tectonic forces that mold the surface of our planet...A heart-stopping adventure especially ideal for classroom viewing, or high school and public library DVD collections. Highly recommended."
"Exceptional...What makes this series especially compelling and