NDA » NDA Study Material » Geography » Magma and Lava

Magma and Lava

During an eruption, lava is molten rock that is ejected from a volcano. Once it has cooled and hardened, it is referred to as magma. Let us know more about it here.

Have you ever wondered about the difference between a volcano and lava? Or what magma is, exactly? Wonder no more! In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about lava. We will talk about how volcanoes are formed, the different types of lava, and what happens when they come into contact with water. So if you’re curious about this molten rock, keep reading!

Lava

Lava is a molten rock that is expelled from a volcano during an eruption. It can also be referred to as magma once it has cooled and solidified. Lava is extremely hot, reaching temperatures of up to 1200 degrees Celsius. When lava cools, it forms a variety of structures including mountains, islands, and plains. Lava is a fascinating phenomenon that has been studied by scientists for many years. It is still not fully understood, but there is a lot of information available about it.

Magma

Magma is molten rock that is found beneath the earth’s surface. It is formed when rocks melt due to the high temperatures and pressures found deep within the earth. Magma can be either liquid or solid, depending on its composition and temperature. When magma cools and solidifies, it forms igneous rock.

Volcano

A volcano is an opening in the Earth’s surface through which molten rock, ash, and gas escape. The word “volcano” comes from the Latin word vulcanus, meaning “of fire.” Volcanoes are mountains, but not all mountains are volcanoes. When hot molten rock called magma rises to the Earth’s surface, it forms a volcano. When the heat inside the Earth melts the rocks, magma is created. When magma is thick, gas doesn’t escape from it easily and a volcano can form. Magma that is thinner, like the magma that forms lava flows, has gas bubbles in it. The gas bubbles make the magma lighter than the surrounding rock, and it rises to the surface.

Live Volcanoes:

There are approximately 1500 active volcanoes in the world, which means that they have erupted within the last few hundred years. The most active volcano is Mount St. Helens in Washington, USA. It has erupted more than 50 times since 1800. Other active volcanoes include Mount Vesuvius in Italy, Kilauea in Hawaii, and Mauna Loa in Hawaii.

Dormant Volcanoes:

A dormant volcano is a volcano that is not currently active but could become active in the future. There are many dormant volcanoes around the world, including Mount Rainier in Washington, USA and Mount Fuji in Japan.

Extinct Volcanoes:

An extinct volcano is a volcano that has not erupted in many years and is not likely to erupt again. Many volcanoes become extinct after a period of activity. For example, Mount St. Helens was active for many years but is now considered to be an extinct volcano. Other examples of extinct volcanoes include Mount Everest in Nepal and Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

Volcanic Eruptions:

A volcanic eruption is when molten rock, ash, and gas are expelled from a volcano. Eruptions can be either explosive or effusive. Explosive eruptions are when the magma is thick and gas doesn’t escape from it easily. This type of eruption is very powerful and can shoot lava and rocks high into the air. Effusive eruptions are when the magma is thin and has gas bubbles in it. This type of eruption is not as powerful and the lava flows slowly from the volcano.

Lava Vs Magma

Lava and magma are often used interchangeably, but there is a big difference between the two. Lava is molten rock that has flowed out of a volcano and cooled. Magma is molten rock that is still inside the volcano.

Lava can be a variety of different colours, depending on what it is made of. The most common type of lava is basaltic, which is dark. Other types include andesitic, dacitic, and rhyolitic lava, which are progressively lighter in colour.

Lava is formed when magma rises to the surface and is ejected from the volcano. Magma is formed when rocks deep within the Earth’s mantle melt. The molten rock then rises to the surface through cracks in the Earth’s crust.

Lava Vs Volcano

Lava is molten rock that has flowed out of a volcano. A volcano is an opening in the Earth’s surface through which molten rock, ash, and gas escape. Lava is molten rock that has been expelled from the interior of a planet or satellite. Volcano, on the other hand, refers to the opening or vent through which the molten rock and associated gases are ejected.

Conclusion

The earth’s molten outer core, called the mantle, is made of magma. Magma is melted rock that is under the earth’s surface. When the pressure from the weight of the earth becomes too much, magma can escape to the surface and create a volcano. Lava is also created when magma reaches the surface. Lava is a hot molten rock that flows down the side of a volcano. It can take years for a new volcano to form after an eruption. Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano has been erupting since 1983! Scientists are still learning about volcanoes and how they are formed. What questions do you have about volcanoes?

faq

Frequently asked questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the NDA Examination Preparation.

What is the difference between magma and lava?

Answer: Magma is molten rock that is trapped beneath the Earth’s surface. Lava is molten rock that has been re...Read full

What is the difference between a volcano and an eruption?

Answer: A volcano is a mountain that has an opening at the top. An eruption is when molten rock, ash, and gas are re...Read full

What is a cinder cone?

Answer: A cinder cone is a small, steep-sided volcano that is made up of cinders or fragments of lava.

What is a shield volcano?

Answer: A shield volcano is a large, flat-topped volcano that is made up of lava flows.