Re: Which scientists have done volcano experiments?

Well...one way to create a good volcano is to light a small amount(5 to 10 
grams) of ammonium dichromate with a magnesium strip fuse. Use a fumehood 
though because it's not healthy to breathe in compounds of chromium. The 
gas itself is harmless (it's just steam)and the green chromium oxide 
consists of very fluffy crystals which makes it seem like the "ash" is 
really accumulating. 

The reaction is a nice example of what's called a redox reaction, but one 
in which a part of the compound(dichromate) attacks another part of the 
same compound(ammonium). The attack is really a "theft" of electrons. The 
scientist who first explained oxidation-reduction was Lavoisier, but in 
more restricted terms. Later, in the 19th century thanks to the evolving 
field of electrochemistry chemists realized that oxygen was not the only 
chemical that acted as an electron mugger, but that other species, 
especially ions like dichromate, could act in similar ways.

Enrico Uva

Moderator's note:
I think the gist of this answer is that there are no particular scientists
we associate with the "volcano," which is (properly speaking) a demonstration
rather than a scientific experiment. I do suggest, though, that you look in
a good reference on chemical demonstrations (like the multi-volume set by
Shakashiri); sometimes you will find historical information about a particular
demonstration.