From vulcanism to the extinction of species to global climate change and on to creation itself, she tackles complex topics with dexterity.

ECONOMIST: Island life

And the absence of heat coming from the interior means that the moon is an inert lump of rock, bereft of interesting geological processes such as vulcanism.

ECONOMIST: A transient success

As Darwin had suggested, heat and electricity were added to the mix to mimic the effects of vulcanism and lightning (later experiments also included light of the ultraviolet variety, to represent the powerful rays of the young sun).

ECONOMIST: Stanley Miller

Many such destinations are worth visiting for other reasons too: as well as being pleasant places to go on holiday, Iceland, Hawaii and the Greek island of Santorini all demonstrate, for example, the influence of vulcanism on island formation.

ECONOMIST: Good sport