Molten Dynamics
Unveiling the fiery processes and geological formations of Earth's incandescent outflows.
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Etymology
Origin of the Term
The term "lava" originates from the Italian language, likely derived from the Latin word labes, signifying a "fall" or "slide." Its early geological application is attributed to Francesco Serao, who described the flow from Mount Vesuvius in 1737, drawing an analogy to water and mud flows.
Properties of Lava
Temperature and State
Lava is molten rock expelled onto a planet's surface, typically at temperatures ranging from 800 to 1,200 ยฐC (1,470 to 2,190 ยฐF). Upon eruption, it is highly fluid, but it quickly develops a solid, insulating crust as it cools through radiative heat loss. This crust slows further cooling, allowing the interior to remain molten for extended periods.
Viscosity and Flow
The viscosity of most lava is comparable to ketchup, being roughly 10,000 to 100,000 times more viscous than water. This property is primarily dictated by its chemical composition, particularly its silica content, as well as its temperature and shear rate. Higher silica content leads to greater polymerization and thus higher viscosity.
Composition
Silicate and Non-Silicate Types
Earth's crustal lavas are predominantly silicate minerals, characterized by varying proportions of silicon and oxygen, along with other elements like aluminum, iron, magnesium, calcium, sodium, and potassium. These compositions are classified based on silica content:
- Felsic (Silicic): >63% SiO2; highly viscous (e.g., rhyolite, dacite).
- Intermediate (Andesitic): 52-63% SiO2; moderately viscous (e.g., andesite).
- Mafic (Basaltic): 45-52% SiO2; low viscosity (e.g., basalt).
- Ultramafic: <45% SiO2; very low viscosity, rare today (e.g., komatiite).
Less common are non-silicate lavas, such as carbonatites, iron oxides, and sulfur flows, which have distinct chemical properties and eruptive behaviors.
Rheology
Flow Behavior
Lava rheology, or its flow characteristics, is governed by its viscosity, which is influenced by composition, temperature, and shear rate. Most lavas behave as Bingham fluids, exhibiting a yield stress that must be overcome before flow initiates. The presence of crystals within the melt further complicates this behavior, contributing to thixotropic properties (shear-thinning) and hindering crystal settling, thus maintaining a relatively uniform flow texture.
Gas Exsolution and Vesicles
As lava cools and crystallizes, dissolved gases exsolve, forming vesicles. These gas bubbles are often concentrated at the upper and lower boundaries of cooling flows, creating textures like pipe-stem vesicles. In the still-fluid center of cooling flows, vertical vesicle cylinders can form as gases migrate upwards, sometimes creating vesicular basalt layers capped by gas cavities.
Morphology
Surface Textures
Lava flows exhibit diverse surface morphologies determined by their viscosity and cooling rates. Common types include:
- 'A'a: Characterized by a rough, rubbly surface of broken lava blocks (clinker).
- Pฤhoehoe: Features a smooth, undulating, or ropy surface, formed by the movement of fluid lava under a solidifying crust.
- Block Lava: Typical of more viscous intermediate lavas, with smooth-sided, angular fragments.
- Pillow Lava: Forms when lava erupts underwater, creating rounded, pillow-like shapes due to rapid cooling.
Underwater Eruptions
When lava emerges from submarine vents or flows into the ocean, it rapidly cools upon contact with water. This rapid quenching forms distinctive "pillow" structures. The outer surface solidifies quickly, cracking to allow more molten lava to extrude, creating a characteristic stacked or globular appearance. Pillow lavas are extremely common due to the prevalence of water bodies on Earth's surface.
Landforms
Volcanic Structures
Repeated lava flows and eruptions build significant geological features:
- Volcanoes: Range from broad shield volcanoes (basaltic lava) to steep stratovolcanoes (intermediate/felsic lava).
- Calderas: Large subsidence craters formed after major eruptions empty magma chambers.
- Cinder/Spatter Cones: Smaller features formed around vents from ejected volcanic fragments.
Flow-Related Features
Lava flows create varied landscapes:
- Kฤซpukas: Elevated areas (hills, ridges) isolated by surrounding lava flows, often appearing as islands in barren fields.
- Lava Domes/Coulees: Formed by viscous felsic lava extruding slowly, creating rounded mounds or short, thick flows.
- Lava Tubes: Tunnels formed by flowing lava that cools on the surface, insulating the interior molten rock.
- Lava Lakes: Rare accumulations of molten lava within volcanic craters or calderas.
- Lava Deltas: Form where lava flows enter standing bodies of water, building new land.
- Lava Fountains: Non-explosive ejection of lava from vents, creating spectacular jets.
Hazards
Destructive Power
Lava flows are inherently destructive to property, capable of engulfing and destroying structures in their path. While direct casualties from lava flows are relatively rare due to their typically slow movement, they can occur if escape routes are cut off or if flows advance unexpectedly rapidly, as seen in the 1977 Nyiragongo eruption.
Indirect Dangers
Volcanic activity associated with lava can pose other significant hazards. These include volcanic ejecta (ash, lapilli, bombs), pyroclastic flows from collapsing domes, lahars (volcanic mudflows), and poisonous gases that can travel ahead of lava flows. Contact with water can also trigger steam explosions. Furthermore, unstable "lava benches" formed where lava enters the sea can collapse, posing a maritime hazard.
Impact on Settlements
Towns Engulfed by Lava
Throughout history, numerous settlements have been destroyed or significantly damaged by lava flows and associated volcanic activity. These events underscore the profound impact of volcanic processes on human habitation.
Towns Damaged by Lava
Many other towns have suffered damage, requiring rebuilding or abandonment, highlighting the persistent threat posed by active volcanism.
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References
References
- Macdonald, Abbott & Peterson 1983, pp.ย 26รขยย17.
- Macdonald, Abbott & Peterson 1983, pp.ย 22รขยย23.
- Macdonald, Abbott & Peterson 1983, pp.ย 23, 26รขยย29.
- Lava Flows and Their Effects USGS
- Bundschuh, J. and Alvarado, G. E (editors) (2007) Central America: Geology, Resources and Hazards, volume 1, p. 56, London, Taylor and Francis
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