The Ring of Fire and the Wrath of God: Earthquakes, Judgement Day, and Separation pt. 2

The Pacific Ring of Fire is Earth’s greatest geological arena, a 25,000-mile horseshoe of tectonic fury where about 90% of the world’s earthquakes and 75% of its volcanoes occur. It stretching from New Zealand and Japan, up through Alaska, down the U.S. West Coast, and into Central and South America. It marks the edges of tectonic plates where the Earth’s crust is constantly colliding, sliding, and diving beneath other plates, generating powerful earthquakes and explosive volcanic eruptions. In this zone, oceanic plates sink beneath continental plates, a process called subduction, which melts rock and feeds magma into volcanoes such as those in the Cascades and Alaska. This same movement creates intense stress that is released as earthquakes, sometimes triggering tsunamis and ground failure over vast areas. The United States, perched on its eastern edge, is one of the planet’s most volcanically active nations, with more than 160 potentially active volcanoes, most of them in Alaska, the Cascades, and Hawaii. A stark reminder of this power: since 1980, there have been 120 eruptions and 52 episodes of notable volcanic unrest at 44 U.S. volcanoes. The activity is not just history—it’s accelerating. In 2024–2025, a global volcanic surge saw 47 volcanoes erupt simultaneously, with 74 confirmed eruptions across 65 volcanoes, disrupting air travel, forcing evacuations, and painting skies with massive ash columns.

In this zone, oceanic plates sink beneath continental plates, a process called subduction, which melts rock and feeds magma into volcanoes such as those in the Cascades and Alaska. This same movement creates intense stress that is released as earthquakes, sometimes triggering tsunamis and ground failure over vast areas.

Here, we focus on the elevan U.S. volcanoes within the Ring of Fire deemed most dangerous due to their explosive history, proximity to population centers, and lethal potential.

The 7 U.S. Deadliest Volcanoes That Could Erupt

1. Mount Rainier, Washington: The greatest volcanic threat in the continental U.S. Its danger isn’t just lava—it’s the towering, unstable layers of ice and rock. A major eruption could trigger colossal lahars (volcanic mudflows) that could reach the densely populated Puget Sound lowlands in under an hour, potentially endangering over 300,000 lives.

2. Kīlauea, Hawaii: One of the world’s most active volcanoes. While its eruptions are often effusive, they can be devastating. The 2018 eruption destroyed over 700 homes. Future explosive phases could generate dangerous ash plumes and gas, with lava flows posing a direct threat to communities.

3. Mount St. Helens, Washington: Its catastrophic 1980 eruption killed 57 people. The volcano remains active, and while a similar lateral blast is less likely, future eruptions could produce deadly ashfall, lahars, and pyroclastic flows, impacting thousands.

4. Mount Hood, Oregon: Over 10,000 people live, work, or recreate in zones vulnerable to lahars from Mount Hood. A significant eruption could swiftly send these cement-like flows down river valleys toward towns and critical infrastructure.

5. Three Sisters, Oregon: This volcanic complex shows significant uplift from magma movement. While not imminently erupting, a future event could produce fast-moving pyroclastic flows and ashfall affecting central Oregon.

6. Makushin Volcano, Alaska: Near the vital port city of Unalaska/Dutch Harbor, an eruption here could cripple the North Pacific fishing industry, disrupt global shipping, and coat the region in ash, threatening aviation and health.

7. Akutan Volcano, Alaska: Another Aleutian giant with a history of major explosive eruptions. An ash plume from Akutan could rise tens of thousands of feet, threatening trans-Pacific air routes and the community of Akutan.

8. Mauna Loa, Hawaii (Hawaii): The largest active volcano on the planet, Mauna Loa can send fast-moving lava flows toward communities and roads within hours to days.

9. Yellowstone Caldera (Wyoming): Yellowstone is a supervolcano with a vast underground magma system that has produced three gigantic eruptions in the past 2.1 million years.

10. Long Valley Caldera (California): This large volcanic depression near Mammoth Lakes has produced massive eruptions in the distant past and still shows signs of unrest, including uplift and earthquake swarms.

11. Redoubt Volcano (Alaska): Redoubt’s 1989–1990 eruption disrupted air traffic when an airliner lost engines flying through its ash cloud, underscoring the aviation risk from Alaskan volcanoes.

Recent Earthquakes & Eruptions: A Reality Check

- 2024: Grindavík, Iceland (Volcanic Eruption): While not in the U.S., this event is a textbook Ring of Fire-style crisis. Repeated fissure eruptions near this coastal town forced its permanent evacuation, demonstrating volcanoes’ power to render land uninhabitable.

- 2018: Kīlauea, Hawaii (Eruption & Earthquakes): Months of intense eruption were preceded and accompanied by thousands of earthquakes, including a magnitude 6.9 quake. The event destroyed entire neighborhoods, reshaped the coastline, and showed how volcanic and seismic events are intertwined.

- 1980: Mount St. Helens, Washington: The eruption was triggered by a magnitude 5.1 earthquake, causing the volcano’s north flank to collapse. It remains the deadliest and most economically destructive volcanic event in U.S. history.

In 2024 there were approximately 73–74 confirmed eruptions across about 65 volcanoes worldwide, many along the Ring of Fire.

Prophecy, Faith, and the Resurrection

In Fall of America, by the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad, Chapter 12, Deceivers and the Deceived

He states, “The weapons of war used by God in the past history of the destruction of the enemies of God - such as Noah’s people, Lot’s people, and Moses’ people - are an example of what he will use today. The weapons are the forces of nature against which we have no defense.

America is under such divine attack now, in storms as rain, hail and earthquakes - (the latter is yet to take place.) A terrific drought is on its way, too against America. The Book must be fulfilled. The Bible and the Holy Qur’an both refer to all that I have said.

This is the divine judgement to bring vicious America to her knees. She (America) hates the people of God and the Negroes do not know that they are really the people of God. This is the great truth that you must come into the knowledge of - that you are a member of the family of God, and not a member of the family of the ——. But you follow the ——-, contrary to your own nature. The natural man (Black) is of God Himself.”

For many, these profound geological events carry spiritual significance. In the Bible, earthquakes are often described as manifestations of divine power and omens of the end times (e.g., Matthew 24:7, Revelation 6:12, 16:18). Jesus’ “Olivet Discourse” in Matthew 24 includes earthquakes among the signs that precede His return: “There will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places,” which are described as “the beginning of sorrows.”

Luke 21:11 similarly mentions “great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven,” framing geological upheavals as part of a broader pattern of end‑time turmoil. Many Christian interpreters see these passages not as a call to fear, but as a call to spiritual readiness, repentance, and steadfast faith as the return of Christ approaches. They are associated with the “birth pains” preceding the return of Jesus Christ.

What the Holy Quran and Hadith Say About Earthquakes and the Last Day

In Islam, the Quran describes powerful earth-shaking events as part of the signs of the Last Day and the resurrection. Surah Al-Zalzalah (The Earthquake) portrays a time when the earth will “shake with its [final] earthquake” and bring forth its burdens, as people are shown their deeds, underscoring accountability before God.

Prophetic narrations (hadith) speak of major signs near the end of time, including three great landslides or earthquakes in the East, West, and Arabia, along with widespread turmoil. Other narrations describe the return of ʿIsa (Jesus), son of Mary, who will descend, defeat the false messiah (Dajjāl), and establish justice and peace before the final Hour, linking cosmic upheavals with the coming of Christ in the Islamic tradition as well.

How to Survive a Volcanic Crisis

While discussions of prophecy focus on spiritual readiness, practical preparation can save lives when the ground actually starts to move. Emergency agencies offer clear, science-based steps that individuals and families can take today.

Before an earthquake

* Secure heavy items. Anchor bookcases, water heaters, TVs, and large appliances to wall studs; move heavy objects off high shelves.

* Prepare a go-bag. Include water, non-perishable food, flashlight, batteries, first-aid supplies, medications, copies of documents, and some cash.

* Plan and practice. Identify safe spots under sturdy furniture or next to interior walls, and practice “Drop, Cover, Hold On” with your family.

* GET PREPARED: Know your zone. Check USGS volcanic hazard maps for your area. Have a “go bag” with essentials (N95 masks, goggles, medications, documents) and a family communication plan.

* HEED WARNINGS: Sign up for local emergency alerts (e.g., FEMA, county systems). Volcanic warnings come from the USGS and National Weather Service. Do not ignore official evacuation orders.

During an earthquake

* Indoors: Drop to your hands and knees, Cover your head and neck under a sturdy table or desk (or next to interior walls), and Hold On until the shaking stops.

* Outdoors: Move away from buildings, streetlights, and power lines, then drop and cover your head and neck until shaking stops.

* In a vehicle: Pull over safely away from bridges, overpasses, and power lines; set the parking brake and stay inside until the shaking ends.

* SURVIVING ASHFALL: Stay indoors with windows/doors closed. Protect lungs with an N95 mask. Clear heavy ash from roofs to prevent collapse. Do not run vehicle engines, which can be damaged by fine ash.

* ESCAPING A LAHAR: If you hear a roaring sound or see a fast-moving mudflow, immediately move to high ground. Do not stay in river valleys. Even a small lahar is deadly.

After an earthquake

* Check for injuries and hazards. Provide first aid if trained, and look for gas leaks, damaged wiring, and structural damage; if you smell gas, turn it off if safe and evacuate.

* Expect aftershocks. Move away from damaged structures and stay alert for falling debris or unstable walls

* Follow official guidance. Listen to local authorities via radio, phone alerts, or official websites for evacuation orders, shelter locations, and road closures.

* Monitor USGS Volcanoes and local emergency management for updates. Do not return home until officials declare it safe.

The Ring of Fire is not dormant; it is a living, breathing, and sometimes violent geological force. By respecting its power, understanding the threats, and preparing proactively, we can safeguard our lives and communities when the earth awakens.