(End of the American Dream)—Have you noticed that the state of California has been getting absolutely monkey-hammered by earthquakes lately? According to the Southern California Earthquake Data Center, California and Nevada have been hit by a total of 945 earthquakes within the last seven days. That is a whole lot of shaking! As you can see from this map, southern California has been getting pummeled more than anywhere else.
Could it be possible that the trillions of gallons of rain that were dumped on the region earlier this month have something to do with all of this? As I have discussed previously, scientists have determined that flooding can put an enormous amount of stress on fault lines. And without a doubt we have seen an unusual level of activity along California’s fault lines in recent days.
13 significant earthquakes, including one measuring magnitude 4.8, shook the state very early on Monday morning in a span of just 25 minutes…
Parts of California were hit by more than a dozen earthquakes overnight, with 13 shaking the state during a span of just 25 minutes.
“Good morning Southern California! Did you feel the magnitude 4.8 earthquake about two miles north-west of El Centro at 12.36am? The #ShakeAlert system was activated,” the United States Geological Survey Shake Alert account posted on X.
The good news is that none of the earthquakes were large enough to do much damage. But the magnitude 4.8 quake was keenly felt by some local residents…
Although some near the area said they hadn’t felt the tremors, one X user wrote: “Definitely felt much stronger than a 4.8.” Another added: “Earthquake swarms just as I was about to go to bed. strong enough for things to fall and break. sadly, a few broken decorations.”
When people hear about earthquakes in California, most immediately think of the San Andreas fault system, but it was actually the San Jacinto fault system that caused most of the problems early on Monday…
The quakes appear to have been caused by the San Jacinto fault system, meteorologists have said. It is one of the most active faults in southern California.
Overall, the USGS says that there have been 27 significant quakes of at least magnitude 2.5 that have hit the state within the past 24 hours.
That certainly isn’t anything to freak out about, but it is definitely noteworthy.
And all of this activity comes just a few days after a magnitude 4.6 earthquake shook up the wealthy residents of Malibu…
A magnitude 4.6 earthquake struck about 8 miles northwest of Malibu on Friday, according to the United States Geological Survey.
The earthquake was reported at 1:47 p.m., the USGS website said. It occurred at a geological depth of 13.9 kilometers, or nearly 9 miles.
The USGS is reporting at least a dozen aftershocks, with the largest measuring at a magnitude of 3.0.
We haven’t seen this sort of sustained seismic activity in southern California in a long time.
Is something very unusual starting to happen?
Let’s keep a very close eye on the numbers coming from the Southern California Earthquake Data Center. If the number of quakes in a week rises above 1,000 and stays there, I would say that there is cause for alarm.
As I wrote about earlier this month, scientists assure us that we are way overdue for “the Big One”.
When it finally arrives, the ground on the western side of a major fault line could suddenly drop by several feet (or more), and because much of that area is just barely above sea level that could potentially allow the Pacific Ocean to come rushing in.
Let us hope that nothing like that happens any time soon. But right now the flooding that has recently occurred in the region is putting a tremendous amount of stress on the fault lines.
Unfortunately, it can take a long time for extra water to disappear.
Just look at what has happened in Death Valley. Hurricane Hilary dumped so much rain on the area last August that it actually created a lake, and it is still there after all this time…
A lake has formed in an area of the US considered one of the driest places on earth seven months after it was battered by storms. Death Valley National Park, California, holds the record for the hottest temperature ever recorded on July 10, 1913, according to the World Meteorological Organization, at 134 degrees.
However, despite being the driest place in North America, a lake which formed after Hurricane Hilary in August 2023 has yet to fully dry up. Death Valley typically receives about 2 inches of rain per year, however, the official weather gauge at Furnace Creek has measured 4.9 inches in the past six months. On August 20 last year, over a years worth of rain fell in one day with 2.2 inches being measured.
I never would have imagined it would be possible for a lake to exist in Death Valley for six months.
But we do not live in normal times.
Speaking of that, we are being warned that the Gulf Stream is in danger of shutting down in the not too distant future…
In the 2004 film The Day After Tomorrow, humanity is plunged into a nightmarish international storm that sends the planet into a new ice age.
And although the blockbuster was consigned to the realms of sci-fi, the science behind the frightening scenario is true.
In a matter of years, melting glaciers could shut down the Gulf Stream – the system of currents that brings warmth to the northern hemisphere, experts say.
Without this additional heat source, average temperatures could drop by several degrees in North America, parts of Asia and Europe, and people would see ‘severe and cascading consequences around the world’.
Can you imagine what our world would look like if that actually happened?
Much of Europe and North America would no longer be able to grow crops, and global famine would be guaranteed.
A lot of people would rather not think about such matters.
But just because things have been a certain way in the past does not mean that they will continue to be that way in the future.
We really are on the verge of apocalyptic times, and global events will soon turn all of our lives completely upside down.
Sadly, most of the population isn’t paying much attention to what is happening, and for the moment ignorance is bliss.
Michael’s new book entitled “Chaos” is available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.com, and you can check out his new Substack newsletter right here.
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.