The technology of drones has allowed scientists to capture stunning close-up images of lava erupting from volcanoes, creating incredibly impressive visuals.
What is Lava? Lava is molten rock that erupts from a volcano during an eruption. When it erupts, it is in a liquid state at temperatures around 1,200 to 1,300 degrees Celsius. Lava is quite viscous, about 100,000 times thicker than water, and can flow over long distances before solidifying into rock due to its thixotropic and shear-thinning properties. Lava flow refers to the flow of lava produced during non-explosive eruptions (as opposed to explosive eruptions). When the flow stops, it solidifies to form extrusive igneous rock. Conversely, explosive eruptions create a mixture of volcanic ash and debris known as tephra, which is not referred to as lava flow. |
