Lava is molten or partially molten rock (magma) that has been expelled from the interior of a terrestrial planet (such as Earth) or a moon onto its surface. Lava may be erupted at a volcano or through a fracture in the crust, on land or underwater, usually at temperatures from 800 to 1,200 °C (1,470 to 2,190 °F).

Magma (sometimes colloquially but incorrectly referred to as lava) is found beneath the surface of the Earth, and evidence of magmatism has also been discovered on other terrestrial planets and some natural satellites. [3] Besides molten rock, magma may also contain suspended crystals and gas bubbles. [4]

Jan 19, 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 molten lava range from about 700 to 1,200 °C (1,300 to 2,200 °F).

Aug 6, 2023 · Magma and lava are terms that people use interchangeably in everyday conversation, but they are different stages in the life cycle of molten rock. The main difference between magma and lava is that magma is molten rock beneath the Earth’s surface, while lava is molten rock on the surface.

Apr 26, 2024 · On the rare occasions when magma breaks the surface, as in a volcanic eruption, it is called lava. This lava lake sits in Mount Nyiragongo, Democratic Republic of Congo. Magma is a molten and semi-molten rock mixture found under the surface of Earth.

Jan 23, 2025 · magma, molten or partially molten rock from which igneous rocks form. It usually consists of silicate liquid, although carbonate and sulfide melts occur as well. Magma migrates either at depth or to Earth’s surface and is ejected as lava.

May 1, 2024 · 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 a deep black color, while the molten rock beneath glows bright orange. Magma is extremely hot liquid and semi-liquid rock located under Earth’s surface.

Mar 28, 2024 · At its core, lava is molten rock that has erupted onto the Earth’s surface. This eruption is the defining characteristic that separates lava from its subsurface counterpart, magma. Magma is molten rock located beneath the Earth’s crust, a reservoir of heat and pressure.

Scientists use the term magma for molten rock that is underground and lava for molten rock that breaks through the Earth's surface. How big is the magma chamber under Yellowstone? Yellowstone is underlain by two magma bodies.

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 and flows across the ground until it cools and hardens into rock.