Pahoehoe lava. Molten pahoehoe lava flowing from a Hawaiian volcano. This thick ropy-looking lava may flow at speeds up to 50 kilometres per hour. Pahoehoe lava may harden into smooth sheets or,as here,may ooze out and solidify into twisted rope- like formations. Pahoehoe lava is a type of basic lava with a low silica content,giving it a low melting point. This means the lava can travel great distances from the crater or vent from which it issued. The lava destroys anything in its path,such as the luckless trees here,which will inevitably be burned,melted or crushed. Photographed at Kamoamoa,Big Island,Hawaii,USA |