⚙️ how
How hot is lava?
earthvolcanoes
Quick Answer
Lava usually erupts at between about 700 °C and 1,200 °C, depending on its chemistry.
The Full Story
Runny basaltic lava, like that from Hawaiian volcanoes, is among the hottest, typically erupting at around 1,100 to 1,200 °C. More silica-rich lavas such as andesite and rhyolite are cooler, from about 700 to 900 °C, and much stickier, which can lead to explosive eruptions. Fresh lava glows yellow-orange when hottest and turns red and then dark as it cools. A crust can form on top while molten rock keeps flowing underneath through lava tubes. Scientists measure lava temperatures with thermocouples and infrared cameras.
Key Facts
1.Basaltic lava erupts at about 1,100 to 1,200 °C.
2.Silica-rich lavas are cooler but more viscous.
3.Colour indicates temperature: yellow is hottest, dull red is cooler.
YouTube Angle
Suggested video title for this topic:
"Glowing rock — how hot lava really gets"