Volcano

Flame bursts from a volcano on Sarn. (DW: Planet of Fire)

For the Doctor Who episode entitled "Volcano", see The Daleks' Master Plan.

A volcano was an opening in a planet's surface, usually mountainous, which allowed hot, molten rock, ash and gases to escape from below the surface. The word was coined by Pompeiian Lucius Caecilius Iucundus, on witnessing Vesuvius' eruption in 79. (DW: The Fires of Pompeii) Vulcan was the Roman god of fire--especially destructive fire--and blacksmithing, and was purported to have a forge beneath the earth.

Volcanoes on Earth

• At an unknown point in history, the First Doctor, John and Gillian visited a South Seas island and witnessed a volcanic eruption. (TVC: Guests of King Neptune)

• In 79, the Roman city of Pompeii was destroyed in the eruption of the volcano Vesuvius. The eruption was more or less set off by the Doctor and his companion Donna Noble and it destroyed the Pyroviles and opened a rift in time for a second. The event was also a fixed point in Time and couldn't be changed. (BFA: The Fires of Vulcan, DW: The Fires of Pompeii)

• In 1883, the Doctor witnessed the eruption of the volcano Krakatoa. (DW: Inferno, Rose) The explosion released at least one captive Xylok to the surface. (SJA: The Lost Boy)

• In 1984, the Dominator Haag set up base in an Icelandic volcano and attempted to acquire Earth's core for his fleet, causing an increase in volcanic activity. UNIT soldiers investigated and turning his equipment against him, creating an explosion which destroyed the aliens and causing the volcano to erupt. (DWM: The Fires Down Below)

• In the 21st century, Salamander triggered volcanic eruptions in Hungary as part of his plan to take control of Earth. (DW: The Enemy of the World)

• In 2167, the Daleks' attempt to mine Earth's core resulted in a volcanic eruption in Bedfordshire. (DW: The Dalek Invasion of Earth)

Volcanoes on Other Worlds

• On Dulkis, the Dominators' attempt to turn the planet into starship fuel resulted in a volcanic eruption that threatened the Doctor's TARDIS. (DW: The Dominators)

• A massive volcano on Mars created the Olympia Mons crater. (NA: Transit)

• On Skaro, the invading Monstrons made their base inside an extinct volcano. A Dalek sacrificed its life to set off a volcanic eruption that destroyed the Monstrons. (TV21: The Menace of the Monstrons)

Planets with high levels of volcanic activity included:

• Gehenna (BNA: Mean Streets)
• Krop Tor (DW: The Impossible Planet / The Satan Pit)
• Sarn (DW: Planet of Fire)
• Tigus (DW: The Daleks' Master Plan)

See also

• Icecano