3 Large Earthquakes And A Major Volcanic Eruption In Mexico Spark Fears That The Big One Could...

The ring of fire has cropped up in the news for decades, if not longer. Mt St Helens was "supposed" to kick off the chain: it did not. Mt Baker, Mt Rainier and several other volcanoes are all semi-active. i.e.: They have vents that occasionally let off steam. I lived on the ring of fire (Philippines, Asia, Alaska, WA & CA) for most of my life. I now live in Colorado - safe from the ring of fire but not safe from the super caldera of Yellowstone nor the tectonic plate junction that is the east side of the Rockies. And yes, we get tornadoes here even though we are the far west end of tornado alley.

I don't see the left coast physically splitting anytime soon. Just consider it the politics of mother nature. :)

The tectonic plates are being pretty active. Although a major earthquake in California would be terrible and would likely result in great loss of life...I'm more concerned with the Yellowstone super volcano being disturbed. We would be effectively screwed if it were to blow, and most likely in another Ice Age.