Tectonic Plates

Fiji is located at the Indo-Australian and the Pacific plate boundary. As a result, Fiji is considered to be on the Pacific ring of fire with countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Guatemala, etc. Due to this feature of two plate boundaries, Fiji finds itself in the midst of two opposite facing subduction zones which lead to the formation of volcanoes and the threat of earthquakes.

Also, Fiji's tectonic history cannot be explained equally but instead into two separate stages. Stage one: 40-28 million years ago is defined by the continuous volcanic island arc system, known as the Vitayaz Arc. The arc was formed by subduction of the Pacific plate under the Indo—Australian plate. Stage two: 28-12 Million years ago was defined by the diagonal north subduction of the Pacific plate under the Indo—Australian plate. Subduction was therefore a particularly shallow angle to the plate boundary. This all essentially means Fiji was caught under a period of increased stress on the tectonic plates which only increased the uplift of volcanic rocks and formations across the islands. 

This is what the subduction zone Fiji finds itself in is like.

As you may see through the map key, Fiji lies in between the Indo-Australian plate and Pacific plate in a subduction zone. 


Sources: 
Link to article: http://www.mrd.gov.fj/images/Brochures/Plate_Tectonic.pdf
Link to first image: https://study.com/academy/lesson/convergent-boundary-definition-facts-examples.html
Link to second image:http://www.mrd.gov.fj/images/Brochures/Plate_Tectonic.pdf

Hazards, Disasters, and Catastrophes

Hazards:
Hazards are natural events that pose damage and life threat to human life and property. A natural process, such as a volcano, may only become hazardous when people are inhabiting the space in which  the volcano erupts in.
Disasters:
A Disaster is an event that has been deemed hazardous, has a defined area, and has occurred over a limited time span. In order for a disaster to be specified as such, one of four criteria must be met:

• 10 or more people killed
• 100 or more people affected
• Declared state of emergency 
• International assistance request

10 people killed

•

≥

100 affected

• Declared state of emergency

• Requested international assistance≥

10 people killed

•

Catastrophes: 
Catastrophes are immense disasters that take ample amounts of time, money, and resources to recover. In recent memory hurricane Harvey is an example of such an event.