volcan-, vulcan- +

(Latin: fire, burn)

A general collective term for extrusive igneous and pyroclastic material and rocks.
volcanism, vulcanism
1. The processes by which magma and its associated gases rise up into the crust and are extruded onto the earth's surface and into the atmosphere.
2. Volcanic power or action; volcanicity.

The term ordinarily includes all natural processes resulting in forming volcanoes, lava fields, laccoliths, dikes, etc.

Quality or state of being volcanic.
volcano; vulcano
1. A vent in the surface of the Earth through which magma and associated gases and ash erupt; also, the form or structure, usually conical, that is produced by the ejected material.
2. Any eruption of material; such as, mud, that resembles a magmatic volcano.
3. Obsolete spelling: vulcano.
Volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit: a mineral deposit of metallic sulfides formed directly through processes associated with volcanism, commonly in a submarine setting.
Relating to, or involving volcanology or volcanic phenomena: "The geologists were studying the volcanological processes that shape the planets."
volcanologist, volcanist
Someone who is a specialist in the study of volcanic phenomena.
To study or to investigate volcanic phenomena.
volcanology, vulcanology
1. The study of the causes and phenomena associated with volcanism.
2. That branch of science that deals with the eruption of magma (molten material plus its gaseous content) upon the surface of the earth or its rise into levels near the surface.

Closely related to geology, seismology, geophysics, and geochemistry.

Volcanology has a background of superstition and mythology

In Roman mythology, Vulcan was the god of fire, the blacksmith of the gods.

  • Poets identified Vulcan's workshop with various active volcanoes in the belief that the "smoking" mountain was the chimney of Vulcan's forge.
  • In ancient mythology, Vulcan's forge was located on the island of Vulcano, one of the Lipari islands off the coast of Sicily.
  • Based on this relationship, the name "volcano" was applied to all mountains which give off "smoke and fire".
—Excerpts from "Volcanology" by Fred M. Bukllard,
Academic Press Dictionary of Science and Technology,
Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Publishers; New York; 1992; page 2342.
In Roman mythology, god of fire and metal working; counterpart of Greek Hephaestus.

The son of Jupiter and Juno, husband of Venus, and father of Caeculus. He was the god of fire and volcanoes, and the manufacturer of art, arms, iron, and armor for gods and heroes.

vulcanize (verb), vulcanizes; vulcanized; vulcanizing
To strengthen a material, such as an elastic material, by combining it with sulphur and other additives and then applying heat and pressure: Usable objects, such as tires on cars, the soles of shoes, and rubber balls, have been vulcanised to make them more durable.
vulcanotherapy, volcanotherapy
Treatment with hot-sulfur springs or other hot-mineral spring water either by bathing in it and/or by drinking it.

Cross references of word groups that are related, directly, indirectly, or partly to: "fire, burn, glow, or ashes": ars-, ard-; -bust; cand-, cend-; caust-, caut-; crema-; ciner-; ether-; flagr-; flam-; focus, foci-; fulg-; gehenna-; ign-; phleg-; phlog-; pyreto-, -pyrexia; pyr-; spodo- (ashes; waste).