• Question: If a volcano erupts how long does it take to dry out?

    Asked by ever520scut to timothynixon, Pete Webb, Liam H, Katherine, divyareshmithottungalravy, davecornwell, Catherine Mcquillan, Andrew Gartside on 4 Mar 2025.
    • Photo: Dave Cornwell

      Dave Cornwell answered on 4 Mar 2025:

      When a volcano erupts lava is the molten rock that flows out. When it stops flowing it cools and eventually becomes solid (igneous) rock. It can take hours to days or even weeks or years to fully cool and solidify, depending on the thickness of the lava and the surrounding temperature.

    • Photo: Divyareshmi Thottungal Ravy

      Divyareshmi Thottungal Ravy answered on 11 Jun 2025:

      Great question!
      The time taken for an erupted lava to cool and solidify, varies depending on the thickness of the lava flows and other factors. Thinner flows can solidify within hours to days, whereas thicker flows can take months or even years. Other factors that can influence the solidification of lava include wind speed, rainfall, surface temperature, etc. An example of a lava cool is the 135 m (440 ft) deep lava lake, like the one created after the 1959 Kilauea Iki eruption took about 35 years to completely solidify. Thick flows that re 20-30 m thick could take 2-6 years to dry out.

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