How hot is lava?
Is it hotter then the sun?
Megan
Hi Megan,
Hawaiian lava is usually between 1150 and 1170 degrees centigrade while
it is flowing. It has pretty much stopped flowing by the time it has
cooled to 1100 degrees centigrade. At other volcanoes such as Mt. Etna,
the usual temperature is more like 1050 degrees centigrade. At volcanoes
that erupt viscous lava (such as Mt. St. Helens), the typical temperature
of the lava is usually closer to 500-700 degrees centigrade, or perhaps
even cooler.
Since the sun averages 5000 to 6000 degrees centigrade, it is much hotter
than lava.
Sincerely,
Scott Rowland
Other Categories
Other Questions
To VolcanoWorld