What is lava?

Lava is a molten rock that spews from an exploding volcano. It is extremely hot and reaches temperatures of up to 1,300 to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit (704 to 1093 degrees Celsius). In volcanic eruption, lava is in liquid form. When it solidifies, it creates a igneous rock. But cooling can take quite a long time, traveling a long distance before it becomes solid.

The molten rock is not always called lava. Before the volcano bursts and the molten rock is still underground, it is called magma. In addition to being a little colder, the molten rock is not dramatically different as soon as it is above the ground. The difference between Magma and Lava is essentially deliberate to facilitate understanding and explain geological events.

Lava eruptions are not by chance. Underground, Magma contains gas bubbles. These gas bubbles are usually kept in expansion by pressure from layers of overlapping rocks. Sometimes, however, the gas pressure can increase enough so that the bubbles begin to expand and rise, carry a magma with you. When the pressure increases to sufficiently highlightKid level, the volcano can break, allowing magma to escape, allow the bubbles to spread quickly and cause the lava eruption.

Lava can be driven to amazing heights; Lava fountain can shoot up to 2,000 feet (609.6 meters) above the volcano. As with the eruption itself, it is a gas that stores such explosive drives. When the gas bubbles extend and burst in Magmo, it rises towards the surface and is forced up and out of the volcano. The lava flows at different speeds, from very slow to relatively fast. One of the fastest measured flows reached about 37 miles (59.5 kilometers) per hour.

Many individuals do not know that lava is not always red. Depending on its temperature, it can be a bright orange, bright red, dark red or brownish red. On its hottest, above 1832 degrees Fahrenheit (1,000 degrees Celsius), it is clear orange while it is dark red at temperatures between 1472 and 1,832Fahrenheit (800-1000 degrees Celsius). The lava is dark red at temperatures between 1202 and 1472 degrees Fahrenheit (650-800 degrees Celsius) and brownish red at temperatures ranging from 932 to 1202 degrees Fahrenheit (500 to 650 degrees Celsius). In its firm form, lava is black.

There are several different types of lava. Each is classified according to silica oxide content. Lava types are basalt, Andesite, Dacite and Rhyolite. The basalt has the lowest silica oxide content, while Rhyolite has the highest. The content of silica oxide affects how lava flows. For example, basalt lava is given large, thin flows; Rhyolite is stiffer and flows at a slower pace.