Flowing Lava



This is an image of flowing lava.
Click on image for full size version (128K GIF)
Image from: U.S. Geological Survey
Lava can move in broad flat lava flows, or it can move through constrictive channels or tubes. Lava flows have a large surface area so they tend to cool quickly and flow slowly. The fastest unconstricted lava flows at about 6 mi/hr (an easy jog), but rarely do they exceed speeds of between 2/3 and 1/3 mi/hr.

Lava in channels or tubes on the other hand can move quite quickly. It tends to stay hotter and maintain a lower viscosity. It can typically move up to 23 mi/hr, a sprinter's top speed. It has, however, been clocked at up to 35mi/hr, which is faster than is humanly possible to run.

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More about the Earth's Surface & Interior


Flowing Lava



This is an image of flowing lava.
Click on image for full size version (128K GIF)
Image from: U.S. Geological Survey
Lava can move in broad flat lava flows, or it can move through tight channels or tubes. Lava flows tend to cool quickly and flow slowly. The fastest lava outside of channels moves at about 6 mi/hr an easy jog, but it normally averages between 2/3 and 1/3 mi/hr.

On the other hand, lava in channels or tubes can move quite quickly. It tends to stay hotter which allows it to flow quickly. It can typically move up to 23 mi/hr (a sprinter's top speed). The speed record for a channel is about 35 mi/hr, faster than any person can run!

More on Volcanoes

More about the Earth's Surface & Interior


Flowing Lava



This is an image of flowing lava.
Click on image for full size version (128K GIF)
Image from: U.S. Geological Survey
Lava can move in two ways, wide flat lava flows, or through channels which squeeze the lava into a small area. The fastest lava flows move at about 6 mi/hr, an easy jog, but they average between 2/3 and 1/3 mi/hr.

Lava in channels can move very quickly. It can typically move up to 23 mi/hr (a sprinter's top speed), but have moved at up to 35mi/hr, faster than any person can run!

More on Volcanoes

More about the Earth's Surface & Interior



Last modified January 15, 1997 by the Windows Team

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