When this plan collapsed from political opposition, Washington chose a single site in 1987: Yucca Mountain, a heap of volcanic ash in the Nevada desert.

A volcanic desert is an area devoid of vegetation because of volcanic activity.

We were dropped off by helicopter in the volcanic desert.

Formed by free-flowing lava across great plains, Amazonis has been described by William Hartmann as a "bright dusty volcanic desert crossed by many fresh-looking lava flows."

It's a volcanic desert where you'll be struck in awe by otherworldly, lunar landscapes.

Above this line lies volcanic desert and alpine tundra.

Lady Macbeth flew over the Sarell continent in forty-five seconds, arching down sharply towards the brown and yellow volcanic deserts.

The scenery is dramatic - a breathtaking mixture of strange volcanic deserts and lush vegetation - a landscape dominated by the snow-capped peak of a dormant volcano, Mount Teide.

He went on working and he felt as tired as if he had spent the night crossing the broken volcanic desert and the sun had caught him and the others with the dry gray lakes still ahead.

In the wine-growing region of La Geria, raked by stiff crosswinds, individual vines have been planted in dug-out hollows in the volcanic desert - their only realistic chance of prospering.