Important Notice: Our web hosting provider recently started charging us for additional visits, which was unexpected. In response, we're seeking donations. Depending on the situation, we may explore different monetization options for our Community and Expert Contributors. It's crucial to provide more returns for their expertise and offer more Expert Validated Answers or AI Validated Answers. Learn more about our hosting issue here.

What is the difference between magma and lava?

0
Posted

What is the difference between magma and lava?

0

Scientists use the term magma for molten rock underground and lava for molten rock (and contained gases) that breaks through the Earth’s surface. Originating many tens of miles beneath the ground, magma commonly contains some crystals, fragments of surrounding (unmelted) rocks, and dissolved gases, but it is primarily a liquid composed principally of oxygen, silicon, aluminum, iron, magnesium, calcium, sodium, potassium, titanium, and manganese. Lava is red hot when it pours or blasts out of a vent but soon changes to dark red, gray, black, or some other color as it cools and solidifies. Very hot, gas-rich lava containing abundant iron and magnesium is fluid and flows like hot tar, whereas cooler, gas-poor lava high in silicon, sodium, and potassium flows sluggishly, like thick honey in some cases or in others like pasty, blocky masses. — From: Tilling, Heliker, and Wright, 1987, Eruptions of Hawaiian Volcanoes: Past, Present, and Future: USGS General Interest Publication and Tilling,

0

I believe Magma is when it is below the earths surface, and Lava when it breaches the surface.

0

The main difference between magma and lava is that as magma rises to the surface the gases begin to expand, once they have neared the surface the gas escapes. Once all the gas has been lost it is considered lava. In general the all of the gases do not escape until after the material has been erupted.

1

Magma is melted rock material below the surface. Lava is magma that’s breached onto the surface.

0

Magma is the molten material beneath Earth’s crust. This material consists of rock, gases, and mineral crystals. The temperature of the magma can be as high as 5000 degrees Fahrenheit. The pressure is also very high since the magma supports the weight of Earth’s crust. Lava is the molten rock that comes out of a volcano or from a fissure in Earth’s surface. A fissure is a crack. The molten rock comes from the underground magma. Lava is thus magma that has broken through Earth’s surface.

Related Questions

Thanksgiving questions

*Sadly, we had to bring back ads too. Hopefully more targeted.