Stefan sez:
Despite the dangers, people often settle near volcanoes because the soil is periodically fertilized with mineral rich ash and dust.
Turns out that the Milky Way is due for a similar make over. Gas accumulating in the core may "soon" (200 million years) trigger a burst of star formation. Many of these new stars will be supernova whose death-throes spew new heavy minerals. These are required to build terrestrial planets and carbon-based life.
Alas, even if you're alive to witness the cataclysm, it won't be visible from Earth
(Thanks, Stefan!)
