The solid volcanic rock resulting from subsequent cooling of the molten material is often also called lava. A lava flow is an outpouring of lava during an effusive eruption. (An explosive eruption, by contrast, …

Nov 25, 2025 · lava, magma (molten rock) emerging as a liquid onto Earth’s surface. The term lava is also used for the solidified rock formed by the cooling of a molten lava flow. The temperatures of …

Apr 17, 2023 · Approximately 40 volcanoes and associated lava flows can be found in Mojave National Preserve, California. NPS photo. Introduction Volcanoes both build and destroy landscapes. …

When magma flows onto Earth’s surface, it is called lava. Lava (magma that has erupted onto Earth's surface) is visually mesmerizing – as the molten rock flows downhill, lava exposed to the air cools to …

At its core, lava is molten rock expelled by a volcano during an eruption. It originates deep within the earth, where temperatures are high enough to melt rock. When pressure builds up in the earth’s …

Jul 20, 2023 · When a volcano erupts, the molten rock (or magma) that comes out of the Earth is called lava. Because lava is so hot (more than 1,100 degrees C, over 2,000 degrees F), it remains molten …

Lava is molten rock expelled by a volcano during an eruption. (When the molten rock is beneath the Earth 's surface, it is called magma.) When first exuded from a volcanic vent, the hot lava is at …

Jun 16, 2025 · Lava is molten rock that has erupted onto the Earth’s surface (or the surface of another planet or moon). This extrusive igneous rock, distinguished from magma (molten rock beneath the …

Apr 21, 2009 · This molten lava is made of rock, heated to more than 700 degrees C inside the Earth. Inside the Earth, it's called magma, but when it reaches the surface, scientists call it molten lava.

First, there is a definition we need to make. Just to keep things straight, geologists use the word "magma" for molten rock that is still underground, and the word "lava" once it has erupted onto the …