– David Bowie / Queen, 1981

Recently, the blogosphere has been abuzz about earthquakes. Can one trigger another? Are they becoming more frequent?

This week – thanks to Eyjafjallajökull – the same questions are being raised about volcanoes. And researchers are positing some surprising answers. They theorize that – as David Bowie says – it’s all about pressure. (You’re welcome. That song will be in your head all day… until your subconscious eventually causes it to morph into Ice Ice Baby.)

Specifically pressure getting built up, released, and shifted around under the earth’s crust. What might cause these pressure shifts? Well, a couple of theories say the eruption of neighboring volcanoes or even the melting of large glaciers.

Very intriguing. But ultimately just another reminder that, whether or not eruptions become more likely, we all need to be prepared. Do you you know what to do in the event of eruption?