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Molten Dynamics

Unveiling the fiery processes and geological formations of Earth's incandescent outflows.

What is Lava? ๐Ÿ‘‡ Explore Landforms โ›ฐ๏ธ

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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.

The following table illustrates the weight percentages of major oxides in different lava compositions:

Examples of Lava Compositions (wt%)
Component Nephelinite Tholeiitic Picrite Tholeiitic Basalt Andesite Rhyolite
SiO239.746.453.860.073.2
TiO22.82.02.01.00.2
Al2O311.48.513.916.014.0
Fe2O35.32.52.61.90.6
FeO8.29.89.36.21.7
MnO0.20.20.20.20.0
MgO12.120.84.13.90.4
CaO12.87.47.95.91.3
Na2O3.81.63.03.93.9
K2O1.20.31.50.94.1
P2O50.90.20.40.20.0

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).
  • Pฤhoehoe: 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.

  • Nisga'a villages (Lax Ksiluux, Wii Lax K'abit), British Columbia, Canada (1700s)
  • Garachico, Tenerife (1706 eruption)
  • Cagsawa, Philippines (1814 Mayon Volcano eruption)
  • Koae and Kapoho, Hawaii (1960 Kฤซlauea eruption)
  • Kalapana, Hawaii (1990 Kฤซlauea eruption)
  • Kapoho (Vacationland Hawaii subdivision), Hawaii (2018 Kฤซlauea eruption)

Towns Damaged by Lava

Many other towns have suffered damage, requiring rebuilding or abandonment, highlighting the persistent threat posed by active volcanism.

  • Catania, Italy (1669 Etna eruption)
  • Sale'aula, Samoa (1905-1911 Mt Matavanu eruptions)
  • Mascali, Italy (1928 Mount Etna eruption)
  • Parรญcutin village and San Juan Parangaricutiro, Mexico (1943-1952 Parรญcutin volcano)
  • Heimaey, Iceland (1973 Eldfell eruption)
  • Piton Sainte-Rose, Rรฉunion (1977 eruption)
  • Royal Gardens, Hawaii (1986-1987 Kฤซlauea eruption)
  • Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo (2002 Nyiragongo eruption)
  • Los Llanos de Aridane (Todoque), El Paso (El Paraรญso), La Palma (2021 Cumbre Vieja eruption)

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References

References

  1.  Macdonald, Abbott & Peterson 1983, pp.ย 26รขย€ย“17.
  2.  Macdonald, Abbott & Peterson 1983, pp.ย 22รขย€ย“23.
  3.  Macdonald, Abbott & Peterson 1983, pp.ย 23, 26รขย€ย“29.
  4.  Lava Flows and Their Effects USGS
  5.  Bundschuh, J. and Alvarado, G. E (editors) (2007) Central America: Geology, Resources and Hazards, volume 1, p. 56, London, Taylor and Francis
A full list of references for this article are available at the Lava Wikipedia page

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Important Notice

This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

This is not geological or safety advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional geological consultation, hazard assessment, or safety planning. Always refer to official geological surveys and consult with qualified professionals for specific environmental or safety needs. Never disregard professional advice because of something you have read on this website.

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