lava lakes
Volcanic crater pools
Lava lakes are pools of molten rock contained within a volcanic crater or depression.
Unlike brief eruptions, these lakes persist for months or years, their surfaces crusting over then cracking to reveal glowing magma beneath.
Only a handful exist at any time worldwide, making them rare geological features: Kilauea's lava lake has drawn visitors for decades.
- craterImpact or volcanic basin
- moltenLiquefied by extreme heat
- KilaueaActive Hawaiian shield volcano
- volcanologyStudy of erupting mountains
- eruptionViolent sudden release
molten rock · volcanic activity · magma · viscosity · basalt · vent · shield volcano · effusion · degassing · overturning · magma chamber · thermal radiation · melts · geothermal · caldera · pyroclastic · silica · volcanic cones
- Afar TriangleAfar Triangle
- African geologyGreat Rift Valley, Niger Delta, Rift Valley, Fouta Djallon, Afar Triangle
- AuvergneVichy, extinct volcanoes, thermal spas, Michelin, thermal baths
temperature/thermal state
lava lakesglacial lakes
Meltwater-filled eroded basins
ice sheets · frozen lakes · glaciers · polar ice caps · permafrost