1. What happens to hot lava after it erupts from a volcano?
After hot lava erupts from a volcano, it usually flows down the sides of the volcano in streams or rivers. As it flows, it cools and solidifies, forming solid rock structures known as lava flows or lava fields. The cooled lava can have various textures depending on its composition, such as smooth and glassy (obsidian), rough and jagged, or rope-like (pahoehoe) if it was relatively fluid.
Over time, the cooled lava can continue to weather and erode, breaking down into smaller pieces. Vegetation may begin to grow on the cooled lava, leading to the development of new ecosystems. In some cases, the lava flows can cover vast areas of land, altering the landscape and creating new landforms. It can also create volcanic landforms such as lava tubes, lava caves, or volcanic cones.
It's important to note that lava can have different characteristics depending on its composition. Some lava can be highly explosive and form pyroclastic flows or ash clouds, while others can be slow-moving and less destructive. The behavior and effects of lava depend on factors such as viscosity, gas content, and the type of volcano it erupts from.