Lava channel

Pāhoehoe lava flow on the island of Hawaii. The picture shows few overflows of a main lava channel.

A lava channel is a stream of fluid lava contained within marginal zones of static (i.e., solid and stationary) lava or levees. The initial channel may not contain levees per se, until the parental flow solidifies over what develops into the channel and creates simple levees. This initial levee allows for the building of a more complex levee and channel. As the lava flows though the channel, the elevation of the surface of the lava flow pulsates and lava can possibly flood the associated channel walls spilling out of the channel and over the existing levees, creating what is known as overflow levees. Overflow levees increase the height and width of the original levee. The lava that flows in lava channels is commonly basaltic in composition.

See also

• Lava tube

References

• Ailsa Allaby and Michael Allaby. "lava channel." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Retrieved June 27, 2011 from Encyclopedia.com
• Harris, A., M, Favalli., F, Mazzarini, C, Hamilton., 2008. Construction dynamics of a lava channel. Bulletin of Volcanology. 71. (4):459-474.