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Lava Flow

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  • First Online:
Encyclopedia of Planetary Landforms

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Definition

Spatially distinct solidified surface rock unit produced by lava from a single continuous episode of volcanic activity (Bates and Jackson 1987; Self et al. 1997). The term lava flow may describe both the process and the product.

Description

Lava flows are typically lobate and made up of several flow lobes (Self et al. 1997) that often coalesce with previously emplaced flows, forming lava flow fields or lava plains (volcanic plains). Flood lavas form lava sheet flows (Keszthelyi et al. 2000). Channelized lava flows are fed by lava channels or lava tubes (where a roof forms over the flow). Accumulation of thick and/or high viscosity flows may result in volcanic constructs (volcano, steep-sided dome (Io), and steep-sided dome (Venus), etc.).

Morphometry

Lava flows may reach tens to hundreds of kilometer distances on Earth (Aprodov 1982) and a hundred to a thousand kilometer on Mars. The longest flows are tube fed (Sakimoto and Baloga 1995), due to the insulating effect caused...

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Konkoly Thege Miklos Astronomical Institute, Research Center for Astronomy and Earth Sciences, Budapest, Hungary

    Ákos Kereszturi

  2. Planetary Science Research Group, Eötvös Lóránd University, Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences, Budapest, Hungary

    Henrik Hargitai

  3. National Air and Space Museum, Center for Earth and Planetary Studies, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, 20560, USA

    Jim Zimbelman

Authors
  1. Ákos Kereszturi
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  2. Henrik Hargitai
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  3. Jim Zimbelman
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Correspondence to Ákos Kereszturi .

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Kereszturi, Á., Hargitai, H., Zimbelman, J. (2014). Lava Flow. In: Encyclopedia of Planetary Landforms. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9213-9_401-1

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