So right now I got this awesome map. No, not because it has all of the metals I need plus a super-waterfall and adamantium exposed on the surface... Rather, it consists of a 3x3 area that looks like this:
...
.A.
^~^
The "A" is a single, discrete mountain, like 50 Z levels high, that forms an almost
perfect cone: the bottom (level with the ground) is a nice rounded square shape, exactly one area-map tile in size, and it gradually narrows towards the top until there are literally only one or two tiles at the highest z-level of the mountain.
The bottom row of the area map is a horizontal line of almost shear cliff (as shear as they get since Toady basically turned off shear cliffs), with a volcano caldera where the "~" is. This line of cliffs is separated from the A mountain by a narrow strip of flat ground 2 tiles in size.
So basically, I have a giant cone, and behind the cone is a source of lava and a giant cliff face full of mine-able goodies.
For some reason, I love having a single, discrete mountain like this. What kinds of fun things can be done with it? I am working out the ground level right now, where I plan industry, and was thinking I should build apartments on the levels above this... with the richest apartments getting an entire round floor to themselves with a massive panoramic view of everything for miles around. But there are SO MANY levels. I dunno why, I just like the idea of this nicely shaped mountain carved out hollow and occupied by dwarfs, like a primeval high-rise.
Also, not sure how to get that lava to my little mountain without liquid pressure flooding the place and killing everyone. I'd prefer to do it without using floodgates, because if the floodgate were to be destroyed somehow, my whole fortress would be destroyed.
The caldera also goes up to like 30 or 40 z levels above "ground level", so I am not sure how to channel it safely.
How do other people like to work these kinds of features?