(End of the American Dream)—Should we be alarmed that there has been so much activity along the Pacific Ring of Fire lately? Every time that there is another major event, and that has been occurring quite frequently in recent weeks, the experts rush to tell us that what we are witnessing is perfectly normal.
But is that really true? Late last month, I wrote an article about how volcanoes that have been dormant for ages are suddenly roaring to life all over the globe. I don’t understand how it is “perfectly normal” for multiple volcanoes that have been dormant for hundreds or even thousands of years to all be waking up at the same time. I just don’t see it. Similarly, I don’t understand how it is “perfectly normal” for so much shaking to be taking place all along the Ring of Fire right now.
For example, on Monday a magnitude 7.6 earthquake rattled northern Japan…
A powerful 7.6-magnitude earthquake shook northeastern Japan late on Monday, prompting tsunami warnings and orders for about 90,000 residents to evacuate.
The Japan Meteorological Agency said a tsunami as high as 3 metres (10 feet) could hit Japan’s northeastern coast after the earthquake struck off the coast at 11:15 p.m. (1415 GMT).
Tsunami warnings were issued for the prefectures of Hokkaido, Aomori and Iwate, and tsunamis from 20 to 70 cm (7 to 27 inches) high were observed at several ports, JMA said.
A magnitude 7.6 earthquake is quite powerful.
The Daily Mail is reporting that buildings and vehicles were “trembling as the ground beneath them shook violently”…
Video footage showed buildings and stationary vehicles trembling as the ground beneath them shook violently.
Another clip showed a terrified man in his home watching lights bounce around amid the earthquake, while a third showed a siren being sounded, warning citizens of the imminent danger.
If this was just an isolated incident, we could probably safely ignore it.
But the truth is that Japan has been hit by a number of severe earthquake swarms in 2025, and that includes a massive swarm of 1,198 earthquakes that stretched from late June to early July…
From June 25 to July 4, a total of 1,198 earthquakes occurred near the Tokara Islands in far southwest Japan. The largest of these, on July 4, was at the lower end of 6 on the Japan Meteorological Agency seismic intensity scale (JMA scale).[22] This earthquake swarm was the most intense in the region since 1995.[23] 31 residents requested evacuation to Mainland Japan following several earthquakes of 5+ on the JMA scale, i.e. approximately VII on the Mercalli scale[b][25][26]
I certainly don’t think that was normal.
At the end of July, a magnitude 8.8 megathrust earthquake struck the Pacific Ring of Fire just off the coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula…
On 30 July 2025, at 11:24:52 PETT (29 July, 23:24:52 UTC), a Mw 8.8 megathrust earthquake struck off the eastern coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula in the Russian Far East, 119 km (74 mi) east-southeast of the coastal city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.[3][4] It was the most powerful earthquake recorded worldwide since the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake,[5] and is tied with the 1906 Ecuador–Colombia and 2010 Chile earthquakes as the sixth-strongest ever recorded by seismometers.[6]
That quake was part of a global swarm of 494 earthquakes of magnitude 5.0 or greater within a 30 day period.
That was about 4 times as many earthquakes of magnitude 5.0 or greater than we usually experience in a typical month. Nobody can claim that was normal.
Here in the United States, the west coast has been getting pummeled by earthquake swarms over and over again.
In fact, there was another earthquake swarm in California on Monday…
A swarm of earthquakes has struck California’s Bay Area, just miles from some of the most populated cities throughout the area.
A magnitude 3.7 earthquake was detected at 12.08pm ET on Monday, less than three miles from the city of San Ramon, followed by a magnitude 2.9 quake at 1.06pm.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) has revealed that these were at least the sixth and seventh small earthquake to strike the since 5.33am this morning.
The quakes took place less than 40 miles from San Francisco, and less than 30 miles from major cities such as Oakland, Concord, and San Jose.
One earthquake swarm in California is not a big deal.
But there were three other earthquake swarms in California just last week…
Monday’s swarm was the latest seismic outbreak in the Bay Area, coming just days after residents in the region were shaken by three straight days of earthquake swarms rattling nerves along the state’s Central and Northern Coasts.
The recent swarms have also taken place along several branch faults in the broader San Andreas Fault System, sparking fears the main fault line could be closer to a major rupture that locals refer to as ‘the Big One.’
I have written a lot about “the Big One”.
It is coming.
And it is going to be a lot more destructive than the experts are admitting.
Have you seen the movie San Andreas? When “the Big One” finally hits, it is going to be far worse than that.
If you live in Alaska, you are in danger too.
On Saturday, the state was rattled by a magnitude 7.0 earthquake…
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Alaska during the morning hours Saturday.
The earthquake struck at 11:41 a.m. local time northeast of Yakutat, Alaska, per the USGS.
The U.S. Census Bureau reports that Yakutat had a population of approximately 657 in 2020, and in 2023, a total of 332 housing units. The USGS interactive map indicates that the community lies more than 300 miles from Anchorage, where the quake was also experienced.
That quake was the first in a series of 164 quakes that rattled the state in less than 24 hours…
Residents as far away as Anchorage and communities across the border in Canada’s Yukon Territory reported feeling the quake.
In the 24 hours following the main quake, seismic networks logged 164 earthquakes in the region. Many were aftershocks, including several registering magnitudes above 5.0. This number of aftershocks is not uncommon after a significant seismic event as the crust readjusts along the fault lines.
The entire southern coastline of Alaska sits directly along the Pacific Ring of Fire.
So does the entire west coast of the United States.
If you choose to live in one of those danger zones, you are taking a huge risk.
We are getting more warning signs on an almost daily basis, but most of those that live in high risk areas will ignore the warning signs until it is too late.
Michael’s new book entitled “10 Prophetic Events That Are Coming Next” is available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.com, and you can subscribe to his Substack newsletter at michaeltsnyder.substack.com.
Why Bullion Beats Numismatics and Collectible for Your Safe or IRA
Precious metals continue to attract Americans seeking reliable ways to protect their wealth amid inflation, geopolitical risks, and stock market swings. Whether stored in a home safe or held inside a self-directed IRA, physical gold and silver deliver tangible value that paper or digital assets often lack. Yet investors must choose carefully between bullion—pure bars and coins valued mainly for their metal content—and numismatics or collectibles, where rarity, history, and collector demand heavily influence pricing.
Advisor Bullion serves as a dependable source for straightforward, high-quality bullion. The company specializes in physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, emphasizing transparent pricing and products that deliver maximum metal content for every dollar spent. This approach makes it ideal for both personal holdings and retirement accounts.
Bullion consists of refined precious metals in standard forms like one-ounce coins (American Gold Eagles, Silver Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs) or bars. Their value tracks closely to the current spot price of the metal. A typical gold bullion coin trades near the live gold spot price plus a small premium. This structure keeps costs clear and predictable.
Numismatic coins and collectibles add substantial value from factors such as age, rarity, minting errors, or historical significance. A pre-1933 U.S. gold coin or graded proof piece can carry premiums of 30%, 50%, or even 200% above melt value. While this appeals to hobbyists, it creates complexity. Pricing depends on subjective grading, collector trends, and auction results instead of daily spot prices.
For investors focused on wealth preservation and retirement security rather than building a collection, bullion often delivers better results.
Lower Costs and Better Liquidity for Home Storage
When keeping metals in a home safe or private vault, liquidity and efficiency count. Bullion offers clear benefits:
- You acquire more actual gold or silver per dollar invested. Numismatics divert a large share of your money into rarity premiums and massive sales commission, reducing your metal exposure.
- Selling bullion involves tight bid-ask spreads, so you recover nearly full spot value with minimal fees. Collectibles require finding the right buyer and may sell at a discount if demand for that specific item weakens.
- Bullion prices remain transparent and update with global spot markets. You can track gold near current levels or silver accordingly and know exactly where your holdings stand. Numismatic values are priced by the Gold IRA companies with hefty margins applied.
- Standardized coins and bars store efficiently and divide easily for partial sales. Rare coins often need protective slabs and controlled conditions, adding hassle and expense.
- Bullion enjoys worldwide acceptance. A 1-oz Gold Maple Leaf or Silver Eagle sells quickly to dealers anywhere. Niche numismatic pieces may appeal only to limited buyers, slowing liquidation when speed matters.
In times when quick access to value becomes important, bullion’s simplicity stands out.
Stronger Fit for Precious Metals IRAs
Precious metals IRAs continue gaining traction as investors diversify retirement portfolios beyond stocks and bonds. IRS rules permit certain bullion products in self-directed IRAs if they meet purity standards (.995 fine for gold, .999 for silver) and are held by an approved custodian. Eligible items include American Gold and Silver Eagles plus many generic bars and rounds from recognized mints.
Numismatic and most collectible coins generally face heavy scrutiny from custodians due to valuation disputes and elevated markups. These higher premiums mean less actual metal ends up working inside the account.
Bullion avoids these issues. Its value links directly to verifiable spot prices, which simplifies reporting and lowers the risk of regulatory challenges. More of your IRA contribution purchases real metal instead of dealer profits or speculative upside. Over time, owning additional ounces that appreciate with the metal itself can create meaningful outperformance compared with high-premium alternatives that deliver fewer ounces.
Regulatory guidance from the CFTC and state securities offices repeatedly cautions against aggressive sales of expensive numismatics or “semi-numismatic” coins for IRAs. For retirement planning, transparent bullion from established providers reduces risk and aligns better with long-term goals.
How to Get Started with Bullion
Begin by clarifying your goals. Are you protecting savings in a safe, or moving part of a retirement account into a precious metals IRA? Focus on the number of ounces you can acquire at current prices rather than chasing marked-up collectibles.
Diversify sensibly: use gold for core preservation and silver for its blend of industrial and monetary qualities. Mix coins for easier divisibility with bars for lower per-ounce costs on larger buys. Arrange secure storage—whether at home with proper insurance or through professional facilities.
As economic uncertainties linger and faith in conventional assets erodes, bullion continues proving its worth as a dependable store of value. Its direct approach avoids the hype that sometimes surrounds collectible markets and keeps the focus on the metal itself.
For investors prepared to strengthen their portfolios, Advisor Bullion supplies the expertise and selection needed to acquire high-quality bullion efficiently. Whether building personal holdings or integrating metals into an IRA, their emphasis on transparent, investment-grade products helps secure more ounces today that support greater financial security tomorrow. In a complicated financial landscape, bullion’s clarity and reliability make it the smarter foundation for protecting what matters most.