Understanding What a Lava Tube Is
A lava tube is a natural tunnel created when flowing lava moves beneath a hardened surface. As the outer layer cools and solidifies, the hot lava inside keeps flowing, forming long hollow passages.
How Lava Tubes Form
Lava tubes begin during volcanic eruptions. The top of a lava flow cools faster than the inside, creating a solid crust. The molten lava below continues moving, and when the eruption slows, the lava drains away, leaving an empty tube.
Examples of Lava Tubes
These structures appear in volcanic regions around the world.
- Thurston Lava Tube in Hawaii
- Lava Beds National Monument in California
- Skylights and collapsed sections in Icelandic tubes
- Extensive lava tunnels on the Galápagos Islands
Why Lava Tubes Matter
Lava tubes preserve clues about past eruptions, lava flow speeds, and volcanic behavior. They also create unique habitats and are important for studying volcanic landscapes and planetary geology.
Key Characteristics of Lava Tubes
- Formed by flowing lava beneath a solid crust
- Can stretch for kilometers underground
- Often feature skylights and collapsed ceilings
- Provide insights into volcanic processes
The Simple Takeaway
A lava tube is a tunnel formed by molten lava flowing under a cooled surface. When the lava drains away, it leaves behind a long, cave-like passage shaped by volcanic activity.