Can earthquakes trigger volcanic eruptions?
Earthquakes are not necessarily linked to volcanic activity. Some earthquakes are due to tectonic activity (plates shifting), hence not related to volcanoes, while some others are due to magma trying to find its way up a volcano (volcanic earthquakes). Volcanic earthquake are generally indicative of an increase of volcanic activity but don’ necessarily lead to an eruption. Tectonic earthquakes can “shake” a volcano and can potentially help triggering an eruption. However, they can also potentially stop an eruption. No direct links between tectonic earthquake activity and eruptions in the Eastern Caribbean have been found so far.