types of LAVA

Lava is the molten rock that comes out of volcanoes during eruptions. This lava has different types. The types are as follows:

P A H O E H O E L A V A

is a type of lava is much thinner and less viscous than a’a. It can flow down the slopes of a volcano in vast rivers

A ' a L A V A

A'a is a basaltic lava that doesn’t flow very quickly. It looks like a slowly moving mass of hot jello, with cooler, rough surface. Once it hardens, the sharp spiny surface of a’a lava is extremely difficult to walk across. These types of lava erupt at temperatures above 1000 to 1100 degrees C.

P I L L O W L A V A

it is typically found erupting from underwater volcano vents. As soon as the lava contacts the water, it’s cooled down and forms a hardened shell.

B L O C K L A V A

is a lava that is typically found erupting from underwater volcano vents. As soon as the lava contacts the water, it’s cooled down and forms a hardened shell.

F A C T S A B O U T L A V A

How long does it take for lava to turn into rock?

Lava cools very quickly at first and forms a thin crust that insulates the interior of the lava flow . As a result, basaltic lava flows can form crusts that are thick enough to walk on in 10-15 minutes but the flow itself can take several months to cool!

Which type of lava is the fastest?

It has a relatively low viscosity, when compared to other types of lava. It is the fastest flowing lava. Basaltic lava is commonly expelled from shield volcanoes, and it usually flows in the Pahoehoe or A'a style.

Why is lava dangerous?

Pyroclastic Flow. There is another type of flow that comes from a volcanic eruption that is much more dangerous than a lava flow, and that is a pyroclastic flow. ... And, not only are pyroclastic flows dangerous because of their speeds, but also because they are very hot and contain toxic gases.

How fast is a lava flow?

Once the lava flows became established and good channels developed, the lava in the channels was going at more like 60 km/hour! On January 10,1977, a lava lake at Nyiragongo drained in less than one hour. The lava erupted from fissures on the flank of the volcano and moved at speeds up to 40 miles per hour (60 km/hr).