| abstract | - If ever a volcano appears on screen in a work of fiction its eruption is inevitable. The existence of a volcano is, in itself, a Chekhov's Gun. There's no sense in having it around unless it explodes, because otherwise the story is robbed of a clear dramatic conflict. (Unless you're just planning to have an awesome climax fight over the roiling magma which all dormant volcanoes are filled with.) This is especially if a volcano is explicitly not supposed to erupt, thereby surprising practically everyone and driving them into a panic. The likelihood goes up to an absurd degree whenever someone actually asks whether or not the volcano will explode, and is weakly comforted by the other person saying Oh, it's not going to erupt. It's inactive. Do you have any idea how unlikely an eruption would be? Obviously Truth in Television. Volcanoes (even dormant ones - there's a reason they're called dormant and not dead) are very dangerous things and can go off without warning, which is why most governments monitor active volcanoes within their territory. Mount Fuji, a national symbol of Japan, is a notable exception, but then again, nobody ever makes a big deal about Mt. Fuji being a volcano, so it's not like it's ever a plot point. And let's just hope they never address the existence of a certain lake in Indonesia or a certain national park in Wyoming... Not to be confused with Appease the Volcano God. Examples of Chekhov's Volcano include:
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