When unusual seismic activity is detected in the charming little Pacific Northwest town of Dante's Peak, US Geological Survey volcanologist Harry Dalton (Pierce Brosnan) is called in to investigate. Certain that a long-dormant volcano is set to erupt and the townspeople are in danger, he convinces Mayor Rachel Wando (Linda Hamilton) to take action. Now the race is on to evacuate the town before it's too late.