> For a slightly cosier version of this, think of lava beds below the
> Glacier - huge domes melted into the ice from below, with islets
> peeking out of the icy torrent which gets occasionally steamed up
> where it encounters new volcanic activity...
Some very nice ideas! I remember some friends at work trying to create some of the very same environments you speak of (but with heated golden syrup, I should add...), but sadly they never really worked...
As other posters have also touched on, there are some novel ways of getting around the absence of 'fire' per se. Depending on how active the volcanism is, you can have a myriad of interesting features. The roofs of active lava flow tubes [and hey, mythically a lava torrent flows forever...], if cooled sufficiently, will provide a natural source of warmth, but still be solid and cool enough to traverse or occupy.
Openings, or skylights (domelights?!) in these flows provide a natural nexus for inhabitants and a place of ready warmth and heat; and a large ready-made underheated grill! :o)Also they would provide a reddish-orange light source. e.g.
http://www.doubledeckerpress.com/skylight.htm http://www.geology.sdsu.edu/how_volcanoes_work/Thumblinks/Skylight_pag e.html
Lava flows can potentially offer a novel form of transport. Flows which haven't roofed over completely, and therefore possess a semi fluid surface overall, can be used by the brave as a method of transport. Elements of crust near the centre of the flow encounter little enough shear that they can form readily upon cooling into cohesive, relatively large rafts. Then it's just a matter of hopping on, and off you go. I'm serious, I seem to remember hearing that two [Russian?] fellas did it once!
Of course, getting past the more fluid, hotter margins of the flow channel would require some ingenious (or highly brave) actions...
Cheerio,
Stu.
Powered by hypermail