Why does it matter how hot the lava is?

rocky Janet

Dear Janet,

Temperature influences the viscosity of the lava. Hotter lava flows tend to be less viscous (less sticky) and travel farther from their vent. Cooler lava flows tend to be more viscous (more sticky) and stay closer to their vent. If my house was downslope from a vent I hope the lava erupts at a cooler temperature. Then, maybe, it might cool and solidify before it reaches my house.

Lava temperatures also tells us about conditions in the Earth where magma originates and conditions needed to make magmas with different compositions.

Steve Mattox, University of North Dakota 

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