How does lava flow work?

How does lava flow work?

Lava flows are streams of molten rock that pour or ooze from an erupting vent. Lava is erupted during either nonexplosive activity or explosive lava fountains. But when basalt lava flows are confined within a channel or lava tube on a steep slope, the main body of the flow can reach velocities >30 km/h (19 mph).

Why does lava flow outside?

When a volcano erupts, the molten rock (or magma) that comes out of the Earth is called lava. Because lava is so hot (more than 1,100 degrees C, over 2,000 degrees F), it remains molten and flows across the ground until it cools and hardens into rock.

Can lava flow uphill?

Since it tends to flow more as a thick liquid it can pour uphill as well as downhill and can create a huge variety of interesting shapes. If pahoehoe lava flows over a fairly flat ground it will coat the ground much like a parking lot – with a thick, smooth, flat coating of lava.

What happens if you touch lava?

Lava won’t kill you if it briefly touches you. You would get a nasty burn, but unless you fell in and couldn’t get out, you wouldn’t die. With prolonged contact, the amount of lava “coverage” and the length of time it was in contact with your skin would be important factors in how severe your injuries would be!

What happens when lava meets the sea?

Ocean-entry plume is acidic As hot lava boils cool seawater, a series of chemical and physical reactions create a mixture of condensed, acidic steam, hydrochloric acid gas, and tiny shards of volcanic glass. Blown by wind, this plume creates a noticeable downwind haze, known as “laze” (short for lava haze).

Can lava go underwater?

What Types of Lava Flows Are There Underwater? Lava erupting on the deep sea floor has a form most like pahoehoe flows. Scientists believe the main difference between the shapes of submarine lava results from how fast the lava erupts from deep-sea fissures and how steep the seafloor is that the lava travels over.

What causes pink lava?

Pu’u ‘O’o is a volcanic cone in the eastern zone of Kilauea. The extreme heat from the volcano had caused igneous rock in Pu’u ‘O’o to oxidize, chemically react with oxygen, turning it red.

What is purple lava?

This is called a Cerulean eruption, and the blue tint that surrounds the lava comes from flames produced when escaping sulphuric gases burn. So what we’re seeing here is not actually blue lava, but normal, bright purple lava, surrounded by blue flames.

What happens when lava falls in water?

When lava meets the sea it cools quickly while boiling the ocean into steam. When lava hits seawater at temperatures of around 2,100 degrees Fahrenheit it heats the sea water dry. Not only does it boil away the water, but heats salt molecules the boiled water leaves behind, like magnesium chloride.