Galtrone III

Galtrone III is a small, volcanic world located in the Galtrone system. It is very inhospitable to most life, but a small V.R.A. colony persists on the planet despite this fact. The planet is known as an exporter of energy and metals, both of which it has in abundance.

Pre-Sigma
The planet was settled in 13435 HSY, with the intention of it being an energy production operation. It was soon discovered that rich deposits of minerals were located just below the surface, and strip-mining began soon after the planet was settled. Due to the freely available energy and raw materials, some small manufacturing concerns have set up shop near the main colony, and many others have expressed interest in doing so.

Climate
There is little weather on Galtrone III, due to there being very little water on the planet. However, there are constant rains of ash all over the planet, and average annual accumulation is approximately 1 metre. The atmosphere is very hot and sulfurous, and too long an exposure to it can cause irreparable lung damage due to the minute levels of sulfuric acid in the air. Occasionally, it will rain burning sulfur spewed up from the volcanoes, and it is highly recommended to seek shelter when this happens, as these rains of fire can last for several days and superheat the air around them to such a point where it, too, will burn for a while. These firestorms are spectacular, but highly perilous to behold, and few have returned from the vicinity of one without significant injuries.

Geology
The planet is still in the early part of its geological cycle, and as such is very active. Huge volcanic eruptions, sometimes kilometers across, are common, and major tectonic shifts occur on a regular basis. Earthquakes, however, are fairly rare, as most of the pressure is let off by the constant vulcanism. All the activity, however, has left rich deposits of all manner of minerals all over the planet, for those brave or foolhardy enough to go after them.

Geography
The planet's geography is constantly changing, courtesy of the volcanism, and it is estimated that the surface increases in height by as much as a metre a year in some areas. There are no water oceans or liquid water of any kind, and precious little in the atmosphere. However, the planet is still divided into four continents by the huge oceans of lava. Rivers of lava are very common, and can reach several kilometers in width and be hundreds of meters deep. All of this combines with huge underground lava reservoirs which often gush forth with little warning to make settlement a perilous activity at best.