EarthlightHawaii has been an impromptu lava laboratory for geologists for generations, providing us
EarthlightHawaii has been an impromptu lava laboratory for geologists for generations, providing us with long lived eruptions that aren’t too dangerous to get close too and study, and a wide variety of volcanic phenomena. The lava is basalt, low silica fluid stuff sourced in the upper mantle, erupted in profuse enough quantity to construct large islands from the ocean floor upwards, creating what would be some of our globes largest mountains if most of the pyramid wasn’t under the waves.As it flows away from the vent it cools, forming a crust that shields the molten rock from the elements, allowing it to run under this roof for a much greater distance before freezing than it could otherwise. Sometimes a part of the roof collapses into the broiling intensity below as in this 6 metre long skylight, allowing us to see the roseate glow below as the world’s inner heat dissipates into the frigid surface upon which we make our lives.LozImage credit: USGS -- source link
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