Harry Dalton (Pierce Brosnan) is a volcano expert who is sent to investigate unusual seismic activity in the quiet Pacific Northwest community of Dante's Peak. There he discovers people boiled to death in the local hot spring and plant and animal life dying or displaying unusual illnesses near the city's supposedly dormant volcano. Harry becomes convinced that a major volcanic catastrophe is imminent. Rachel Wando (Linda Hamilton), the town's mayor, is skeptical of Harry's warnings. He must convince her of the potential danger before it’s too late.