answersLogoWhite

0

Lava on Earth's surface is exposed to air, which is of course much cooler than the lava. The air then carries heat away from the surface of the lava flow rather quickly. Since rock, molten or otherwise, is a poor conductor of heat the interior of the lava flow cools much more slowly and does not supply heat to the cooling outer layer. As a result the lava forms a thing solid crust. Until a thick insulating crust has built up the surface will remain quite hot, just not hot enough to be molten.

User Avatar

Wiki User

8y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

Can a fire extinguisher cool lava?

It can cool lava somewhat, but so does air or anything else that is at a lower temperature than the lava. It would not cool lava enough to make noticeable difference.


In avatar into the inferno how do you cool the lava bucket?

how do you cool the lava bucket in into the inferno


Will lava cool off when it drops in water?

Yes. Lava will cool in water, though it might not be instantaneous.


How does convection works?

this is like warm, less dense air rises while cool more dense sinks. This is like the lava lamp the hot "lava" floats up to the top and and the cooler "lava" sinks down to the bottom and heats up and rises and the cooling stuff at the top is now sinking


Does lava cool down in the air?

No. Lava heats up the air. In turn, the air cools the lava.


What does Lava on the surface of the earth do quickly?

Lava on the earth's surface will cool quickly.


What is a country known as the most beautiful island in the world?

micock its a really cool place it has a volcano at the top that shoots out lava when u please it


How fast can lava cool under water?

Lava can cool rapidly in water, forming structures called pillow lavas. The rate of cooling can be influenced by the temperature of the water and the size of the lava flow, but generally, lava can cool in minutes to hours when in contact with water.


What is purpose for making a lava lamp?

lava lamps are used to have something cool in your house


Where are rocks came from?

when lava emerges on out of mountain then the molten lava cool to form rocks.


What happens when the lava reaches the top of the volcano?

Lava at the top of a volcano will generally flow downhill.


What is the science behind a lava lamp?

A lava lamp is a pretty interesting thing, when it is cool, it looks like it's made of candle wax, because it is. Wax is strange, because when it is hot, it rises, but when it is cool, it sinks, so the bulb at the bottom heats the wax, and it floats to the top, but at the top, when it starts to cool down, it sinks. cool huh?