COPE Champions Cycling the Ring of Fire
35,000 km. One extraordinary journey. A world of hazards, communities and stories.
Meet Katie Monk and Andrew Edginton, two recent graduates from the University of St Andrews who are setting off on an incredible year-long cycling expedition around the Pacific Ring of Fire. From Japan and Indonesia to New Zealand, South America, the Pacific coast of North America and Alaska, they will travel slowly through landscapes shaped by earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, floods, wildfires and many other hazards.
Along the way, Andrew and Katie will be COPE Champions, introducing COPE’s free children’s books and educational resources to the communities and people they meet. As they cycle through some of the world’s most hazard-prone regions, they will share stories of how people understand, prepare for and live with hazards, connecting their real-world experiences with COPE’s stories that help children become more informed, confident and resilient.
Follow their journey, explore the hazards along the Ring of Fire, and discover free COPE books in multiple languages.
🇯🇵 Japan: Where living with hazards is part of everyday life
Their journey begins in Japan, a country shaped by powerful geological forces and surrounded by the Pacific Ring of Fire. From earthquakes and tsunamis to volcanic eruptions, floods, landslides and tropical cyclones, Japanese communities have developed generations of knowledge about preparing for and responding to natural hazards.
As Andrew and Katie cycle through Japan, they will explore these landscapes and the ways communities prepare for hazards — while introducing COPE’s stories to help children understand what they can do to stay safe.
Explore COPE books:
🌏 Earthquakes · 🌊 Tsunamis · 🌀 Cyclones · 🌧️ Floods · ⛰️ Landslides · 🌋 Volcanoes
🇮🇩 Indonesia: A country shaped by volcanoes, earthquakes and water
Indonesia is home to some of the most active volcanoes on Earth and sits at the meeting point of several tectonic plates. Earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions and floods are part of the natural landscape, affecting communities across the country’s many islands.
During their journey through Indonesia, Andrew and Katie will meet people living alongside these hazards and discover how science, local knowledge and preparedness can help communities become more resilient.
Explore COPE books:
🌏 Earthquakes · 🌊 Tsunamis · 🌧️ Floods · 🌋 Volcanoes
🇳🇿 New Zealand: Where dramatic landscapes reveal the power of the Earth
From the Southern Alps to volcanic landscapes and coastal communities, New Zealand’s spectacular environment has been shaped by powerful natural forces. Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, landslides, tsunamis and avalanches can all affect communities across the country.
As they cycle through Aotearoa New Zealand, Andrew and Katie will explore the relationship between people, ecosystems and natural hazards — sharing stories and COPE resources along the way.
Explore COPE books:
🌏 Earthquakes · 🌊 Tsunamis · 🌀 Cyclones · 🌧️ Floods · ⛰️ Landslides · 🌋 Volcanoes · ❄️ Avalanches
Share Now: