Could be volcano, could be earthquake, could be both

I have had a re-occurring dream about six times this year. It is set on the west coast which I recently moved from. It is always set in the mountains or near hills and I'm always on foot along with my family members.
The landscape is always in the beginning stages of what looks like a volcanic eruption with the ground opening up and revealing molten magma underneath.
In each dream I am tasked with having to find my way (and that of my family) through the dangerous areas to safer ground, with the knowledge that things were worsening the whole time and that an eruption was eminent.
The area has always changed in each dream but certain things remain constant. Mountains, a source of nearby water, and certain death. In fact when I thought that by moving in the direction of the water would be a safer direction to go, I was mistaken and things around me worsened.
I've had this dream the past three nights in a row now, with each varying slightly and found little comfort in my attempts to find safe shelter.
However, I have found that in each dream, had I moved directly through the more dangerous looking areas I would have made it to safer territory much faster.
In analyzing this dream from a metaphorical standpoint water has always been a safe haven for me and I'm generally not one to dive right in to tumultuous events, (taking the hard road as it were) so this could be nothing more than a direct message for me.
But caution dictates that so many dreams of this type might have some basis in reality beyond the metaphorical. So if any of you happen to find yourselves in an either-or situation in the not to distant future that requires having to choose between what looks safe and what doesn't, the road less traveled would have saved me a great deal of stress and provided me with the much needed sleep I missed.
Be safe and be vigilant