Is lava heterogeneous

Answer 1

No, there are different types of lava. Most lavas are on a spectrum of compositions ranging from mafic to felsic. The classic image of lava is of basaltic lava such as that found in Hawaii. This is mafic lava, meaning that it has a low viscosity and a low silica content. Volcanoes that produce basaltic lava typically not not erupt very explosively. This is the most common type of lava. Basaltic lava can also be divided into two categories: pahoehoe which has a smooth, ropy texture and a'a, which forms a jagged surface. Next up on the spectrum is andesitic lava which is of intermediate composition, meaning it is more viscous and has a higher silica content. This lava is viscous enough that it has trouble flowing downhill. It usually has more gasses trapped in it (when it is underground, where it is called magma) and is often ejected in explosive eruptions. Further up is dacitic lava, which is of intermediate-felsic composition, meaning it is even more viscous and contains even more silica. It is so viscous that rather than flowing out of a volcano, it sometimes builds into a dome on top of the vent it comes out of. A number of volcanoes with dacitic compositions have produced very explosive eruptions including Mount St Helens and Mount Pinatubo. Then there is rhyolitic lava, which is felsic, meaning it has the highest viscosity and highest silica content. It is so viscous that has trouble reaching the surface, so the magma often cools underground, forming granite. Some very powerful volcanoes have erupted rhyolite, including the supervolcanoes at Yellowstone and Lake Toba.Two special kinds of lava should also be mentioned. The first is Komatiite, This lava is not mafic but ultramafic, meaning it has a lower silica content and viscosity than mafic lava. However, earth's interior is not longer hot enough to produce volcanoes with komatiite lava.The other kind of lava is carbonatite which is completely off the mafic-felsic spectrum of silicate lavas. Instead, this is the world's only known carbonate lava. It has a very low viscosity (due to the absence of silica) and a low melting temperature compared with other lavas. It is only found at one volcano: Ol Doinyo Lengai in Tanzania.

Answer 2

YES. Since lava contains rocks that have fallen of cave walls it is heterogeneous