Lava is molten rock that is expelled from volcanoes and as it flows it solidifies. It's temperature varies from 700 °C to 1,200 °C (1,300 °F to 2,200 °F). Lava flows occur in non-explosive effusive eruptions, whereas explosive eruptions tend to cause volcanic ash. That's all well and good, but there is so much more to lava than it's hotness, it's what's on the inside that counts. Lava is generally broken up into four different types based on its chemical composition. Felsic lava has a high silica and aluminum content with small amounts of iron and magnesium. Intermediate lava has a higher iron and magnesium content. Mafic lava has an even higher iron and magnesium content, and ultramafic has the highest magnesium content, but the earth has cooled down too much to even produce this kind of lava anymore. Crazy. And now a sweet video.
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