The VIX, often referred to as Wall Street's 'fear gauge', has surged to rare crisis levels, signaling heightened volatility and uncertainty in the stock market. This rise indicates that investors are bracing for potential turbulence ahead. Historically, such spikes in the VIX have preceded significant market corrections or bear markets. Analysts warn that this could be a sign of further declines in stocks as investor sentiment remains fragile. — new from MarketWatch