Why lava is so hot

Public domain. They found that the upper crust of a basalt lava flow grows thicker as a function of the square root of time. In other words, the lava flow crust grows more slowly with time. Therefore, thicker lava flows will take longer to become completely solid.

Using this value and the equations from the study of the Kalapana lava flows, we can calculate how much of the flows have solidified. Over the 14 months since the end of the eruption last year, the upper 7. It will take about 3 more years for the remaining 1. When construction of new roads in the area expose hot temperatures just below the surface, the lava cooling profile is effectively reset. The newly-exposed surface will quickly lose heat, as if it were the original cooling surface.

This matches recent observations by road-construction crews, who noticed hot rocks being exposed at a road cut along HWY Hot temperatures will remain several feet below the surface for now and will likely generate steam when there is rain.

How can we help you, Nathan? Dominic Mar 23, That was teally cool and swag and dope and beastmode!!!!!! Thanks for all the compliments, Dominic! Chuggingtion Mar 22, Mar 22, Gavin Mar 21, Not sure how to answer that one, Gavin. Mar 21, Glad you liked this one, Janessa! It was pretty "cool" learning about it, huh? I Love lava! A valcano will erupt on top of you in Glad you liked this one, Antonio!

Lava has been a hot topic lately. Nathan Mar 20, Mar 20, Glad you liked it, Nathan! Gavin Mar 20, Or maybe really hot? Feb 17, Feb 3, What's up, Ignacio? How did you like this lava Wonder? Unomoness Jan 26, Wonderer Jan 26, Jan 26, Hi, Unomoness! Thanks for greeting the people! Jan 15, Taylah Mar 20, TJ Maldonado Jan 26, That is sooooo cool i want too see a fat volcano :O.

Jan 19, Chloe Jan 19, The video is sadly I love this is so cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So glad the video lived up to your expectations! We aim to please here at Wonderopolis! Mailee Jan 19, I love learning about lava and Other stuff to!!! Awesome, Mailee! We love learning new things, too! Hey Wonderopolis!!!!!! I have NOT seen the video yet but just looking at it looks so cool!

This video looks way cooler then the What is a Volcano video! HeadshotGenerations Dec 14, Dec 14, Heehee, for sure, HeadshotGenerations! Toasty Dec 13, Dec 13, Thanks for letting us know how you feel, Toasty! LALA Dec 2, Dec 2, Aaron Dec 2, Dec 4, Travis Dec 2, Thanks for sharing what you thought of this Wonder, Travis.

Queen Eleinen el-in-nin of R May 13, Oct 28, May 18, Feb 9, Yes, it is, kyrra! We hope you learned more about lava from reading this Wonder! Feb 4, Mar 3, Jan 20, Dec 3, Oct 16, Amelia May 6, Lava is really hot!!!! Gnarly wonder dude and dudettes!! Carleigh Oct 21, Oct 23, For sure, Carleigh! Wonderopolis May 6, Niko Davison Nov 25, I never knew that. Wonderopolis Nov 26, We're glad you learned something new with us, Niko! Thanks for stopping by Wonderopolis!

Emma Apr 8, Wonderopolis Apr 8, Vincent's Class Mar 20, We are learning about landform in 2nd grade and enjoyed your video and information. Wonderopolis Mar 20, Wonderopolis Mar 12, Jaidyn Jan 6, This video was certainly one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen! Honestly, I think I could watch, or even stare, at that video for hours. Wonderopolis Jan 6, We're so glad to hear that you enjoyed our Wonder video, Jaidyn!

Thanks for making us smile! Tyler J Nov 5, I did not know it burned THAT hot not only that but it can be white if really hot.

I did not know that because I had never seen white lava before. Comes to show you learn something new every day. Wonderopolis Nov 5, Dynamite May 15, There is this game called minecraft and it is really cool. Wonderopolis May 16, Natasha Apr 6, I love the video of the lava. It was so cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!. I would see if my brother would check out this wonder. Wonderopolis Apr 6, Wonderopolis Dec 8, Cassidy Dec 7, Wonderopolis Dec 7, Wonderopolis Aug 31, Muna May 26, Wow i never knew about lava i am doing a report on lava this realy helped me thanks.

Wonderopolis May 26, Cameron May 24, Oxygen is an important element because it, along with silica, are the most important elements of the minerals. However, it is not important for making a lava harden. Maybe, what you are thinking about is the air that can circulate around in a lava and help it to cool off and become solid. Teachers may share the resources on this page with any students who have the courage to research volcanoes. Create a List. List Name Save. Rename this List. Rename this list.

List Name Delete from selected List. Save to. Save to:. Save Create a List. Create a list. Save Back. What Is Lava? Grades 3—5 , 6—8 , 9— View not found. Download the PDF from here.