Embrace Change and Have a Solid Outlook

Lava flows are streams of molten rock that pour or ooze from an erupting vent in a volcano. Lava flow is an outpouring of molten rocks onto the surface of the earth.  Lava flows are the most common feature of a volcano on Earth. 

Lava is erupted during explosive lava fountains or non-explosive activity. Lava forms when magma erupts from a volcano.  As pressure is released, gases that are dissolved in the magma bubble out.  This results in a change to the composition of the lava.  Most lava flows are formed by the eruption of hot basalt magma. Hot basalt magma is about 1200 degrees Celcius.  Lava is the hottest natural thing on Earth.

Lava is the most common form of material that erupts from volcanoes that formed the oceanic islands like the Galápagos and Hawaiian Islands. Lava flows are usually only 1-10 metres thick. Depending on the type of lava and the volume of the eruption, some flows can be as thick as 50-100 metres.

Generally lava flows slowly.  The typical speed for Hawaiian basaltic flows is 0.25 mph with a maximum speed of 6 to 30 mph on steep slopes. 

The world’s largest active volcano is Mauna Loa in Hawaii.  It erupted Monday, Nov. 28, 2022 for the first time in 38 years.  

A river of lava is flowing down from Mauna Loa, near Hilo, Hawaii.  The news report today (Wednesday) says the leading edge of the lava flow is about 4.5 miles away from the Saddle Road Highway.  The Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency’s website says, ‘It does not pose a threat to any communities at this time.”

Mauna Loa is a shield volcano.  The long, broad flanks built by repeated lava flows give it the appearance of a warrior’s shield.  This week’s eruption propelled lava up to 148 feet high.  At least one lava flow is several metres thick.

The lava from Mauna Loa is basaltic which is a type of rock found in the ocean floor and within the Earth’s mantle.  The basalt from Mauna Loa is predominantly tholeiitic basalt which has a very small percentage of silica.  There are two main types of lava flows in Hawaii.  Pahoehoe is characterized by smooth, ropy, or billowy surfaces.  The other type called aa has a very rough, spiny or rubbly surface with a massive interior.

Chemically lava is made of the elements silicon, aluminium, oxygen, iron, magnesium, calcium, sodium, potassium, phosphorus and titanium. Should the lava flow reach the seawater, the heat will cause the water molecules to split into hydrogen and oxygen ions.  The hydrogen ions will then combine with the chloride ions dissolved in the seawater to form hydrochloric acid.  The vapour from this acid is dangerous to inhale.  

When the lava comes into contact with ocean water, it produces a gas plume known as laze.  Laze is the combination of lava and haze.  The hot lava boils the colder seawater forming laze.  

Lava cools to form volcanic rock as well as volcanic glass.  Magma can also be forced out into the Earth’s atmosphere as part of a violent volcanic explosion.  This magma solidifies in the air to form volcanic rock called tephra more often called volcanic ash.  When Mt. St. Helen’s erupted in 1980, I woke up to volcanic ash all over the ground in Waterton Lakes National Park.  

These are the sayings on the bookmark called Advice from a Lava Flow.

• Rise to the Occasion

• Glow with Excitement

• Follow the Path of Least Resistance

• It’s OK to be a Little Fiery

• Take Time to Cool Down

• Have a Solid Outlook

• Embrace Change!

Here are my comments about each of these sayings.

• Rise to the Occasion - Make the special effort needed to deal with a difficult situation.  Find a win/win solution.

• Glow with Excitement - To glow with excitement means your eyes are shining because you are happy and enthusiastic about something. 

• Follow the Path of Least Resistance - Find a pathway that provides the best way to keep moving forward. 

• It’s OK to be a Little Fiery - Be passionate about your dreams and goals

• Take Time to Cool Down - It is always important to cool down after participating in vigorous exercise.  The same is true when something happens that upsets you or causes your blood pressure to rise.  Take a moment and cool down before reacting.

• Have a Solid Outlook - Be optimistic and show hope for the future.  Be a positive person. 

• Embrace Change! - Embracing change means accepting that things change.  The only way to grow is if you make changes. 

Have a great day everyone and stay safe.  Special thoughts for the folks near the volcano in Hawaii.  Be optimistic and have a solid outlook.  

# living life abundantly  # published author # travelling tuesdays