Vulcan ( alternate reality ) Vulcan was an M - class inhabited planet in the Vulcan system , in the Alpha Quadrant . This was the homeworld of the Vulcan species , and was a founding member of both the Coalition of Planets in 2155 and the United Federation of Planets in 2161 . Planetary features . Vulcan , as seen from orbit , was largely red in color , with some greens and browns . Vulcan had a noticeably higher gravity and thinner atmosphere than Earth . It was a mostly arid planet , with many large jutting rock formations , with most of the surface consisting of large desert s or mountain ranges , along with scattered small sea s . Desert areas were prone to large amounts of heat , light , and electrical sandfire storm s . ( ) There were several tourist attractions on Vulcan , including active volcano es , ancient ruins , and lava fields . ( ) History . As early as the mid - 20th century the planet Vulcan had contact with the Tellarite s and , covertly , with Human s . By the late 21st or early 22nd century they had established contact with the Humans , Cardassian s , Klingon s , Tholian s , and Trill , among others . ( ; ) In 2152 there were over a million physicians on Vulcan . ( ) During the mid - 22nd century , the death penalty was still common practice in Vulcan courts for a small number of offenses , including treason . ( ) Before co - founding the Federation in 2161 , Vulcan was in conflict with Andoria . It controlled the Coridan government , and had exchanged ambassador s with Earth and Qo ' noS , among others . ( ) For centuries , the planet was governed by a government called the Vulcan High Command . The High Command was dissolved in 2154 when the " Kir ' Shara " was discovered . ( ) By at least 2258 , however , the High Command was reinstated and remained as the governing body . ( ) Destruction . In 2258 , the planet had a population of six billion , when it was attacked by the Romulan Nero in his vessel , the " Narada " . The " Narada " deployed a drill platform in the planet ' s atmosphere , and began drilling into the surface . A distress call from the planet resulted in the deployment of eight Federation starships to the planet , where all but the were destroyed by the " Narada " . The drill platform was ultimately disabled , but not before the energy stream had penetrated the planet ' s core . A canister containing red matter was then dropped into the drill hole and detonated when it was consumed by the planet ' s core . This created a singularity at the heart of the planet , which began consuming the planet from the inside out . With only minutes remaining , the planet ' s population attempted to evacuate . Acting " Enterprise " captain rescued several members of the Vulcan Council before the planet was lost . Since Spock found his parents and members of the Vulcan High Council in the katric ark , a chamber within Mount Seleya , it is possible many of the greatest minds of Vulcan were saved through a transference of their stored " katra " , thus " preserving Vulcan ' s cultural heritage . " The number of survivors from the planet was estimated to be fewer than ten thousand . The total number of remaining Vulcans , including those off - world at the time , is uncertain but the number was low enough for Spock to consider his race an " endangered species " . ( ) Spock ' s prime reality counterpart founded a colony for the remaining survivors , which by the following year was known as New Vulcan . ( )