Thick, stiff lava that does not flow easily is known as aa lava. Aa lava has a rough, blocky texture due to its high viscosity, making it difficult for the lava to flow smoothly. Aa lava typically moves in a jerky, slow manner and can form sharp, jagged edges as it solidifies.
Felsic lava has a high viscosity due to its high silica content, which makes it resistant to flowing. This slow movement hinders the formation of natural tunnels as the lava cools and solidifies since the thick consistency does not allow for the development of extensive tunnel structures within the lava flow.
Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica mainly produces basaltic andesite lava. This type of lava is characterized by its intermediate silica content, which results in a thick, slow-moving lava flow.
A smooth lava flow is called pahoehoe. Pahoehoe lava has a ropey texture and forms when molten lava cools and solidifies quickly on the surface.
Lava tubs form as a result of pahoehoe lava flows. As one of these flows progresses, it builds of a layer of rock on top of it. eventually, thus becomes thick enough to support is own weight, and forms an insulating tube through which lava can flow.
Thick, stiff lava that does not flow easily is known as aa lava. Aa lava has a rough, blocky texture due to its high viscosity, making it difficult for the lava to flow smoothly. Aa lava typically moves in a jerky, slow manner and can form sharp, jagged edges as it solidifies.
2. Thick or runny lava. Thick flows slowly, runny flows faster.
Aa
Felsic lava has a high viscosity due to its high silica content, which makes it resistant to flowing. This slow movement hinders the formation of natural tunnels as the lava cools and solidifies since the thick consistency does not allow for the development of extensive tunnel structures within the lava flow.
Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica mainly produces basaltic andesite lava. This type of lava is characterized by its intermediate silica content, which results in a thick, slow-moving lava flow.
This is called a lava dome.
A smooth lava flow is called pahoehoe. Pahoehoe lava has a ropey texture and forms when molten lava cools and solidifies quickly on the surface.
Lava tubs form as a result of pahoehoe lava flows. As one of these flows progresses, it builds of a layer of rock on top of it. eventually, thus becomes thick enough to support is own weight, and forms an insulating tube through which lava can flow.
A shield volcano. Generally they have runny lava that forms lots of thick layers. The Hawaiian island volcanos are good examples.
Pahoehoe
The area of rock that flows like a thick liquid is called lava. Lava is molten rock that erupts from a volcano and can flow slowly downhill, resembling the movement of a thick liquid.
Lava that cools at the surface can form features such as lava flows, which are large sheets of solidified lava. It can also create lava tubes, which are tunnels formed when the outer layer of the lava flow cools and hardens while the inner lava remains molten and continues to flow. Additionally, lava may form spatter cones or lava fountains when ejected into the air and solidifies before hitting the ground.