Indian Geography

Magma and Lava Notes for UPSC Exams

The oldest fluid found on the earth is known as Magma. It is a combination of

silicates, oxides and other volatile components. A magnetic chamber under the
earth's crust holds the magma. When magma attains the surface through cracks
and fissures in the rocks, it erupts as lava. The words lava and magma have their
origins in Latin and Greek, respectively. Lava originates from the Latin word
'labes', which refers to a fall or a slide. The term magma originates from the
Greek word 'magma', which refers to 'a thick unguent'. An unguent is a dense
paste that is utilized in treating injuries of the skin.
In this article, let us look at what is magma and lava, origin of magma and lava,
their types, important facts, similarities and the differences between magma and
lava for the UPSC IAS Examination in detail.

Check out the linked article on the Different types of Rocks for the UPSC Exams
now!
Magma & Lava Important Facts For UPSC
Magma

The extremely hot semi-liquid and liquid rock matter present in the earth’s crust is
known as Magma. In addition, the planet earth consists of several layers, notably
– inner core, outer core, mantle and crust. The magma is substantially present in
the earth’s mantle. Magma generally contains itself inside magma chambers.
These chambers generally hold a collection of dissolved gasses, suspended
crystals and gas bubbles. However, this molten substance propels through
cracks and fissures in the exterior surface, which results in a volcanic emission.
A few related highlights of magma are as follows-
● Magma is made up of minerals.
● It contains dissolved gasses like carbon dioxide, water vapor and Sulphur
in low amounts.
● Magma remains in a liquid state due to high pressure and utmost
temperature below the earth’s crust.
● The heat that is generated within magma ranges from a temperature of
about 1300 to 2400 degrees.
● Magma is categorized into three main types, namely basaltic, rhyolitic and
andesitic and each of these types has a specific composition of minerals.
● Silicon dioxide is present in a substantial quantity in all types of magma.

Page - 2
Lava

The molten rock matter, when it attains the surface of the earth, it turns into lava.
It has a temperature that ranges from 700 °C to 1200 °C (which is 1300 °F to
2200 °F). In addition, the material of lava can be completely free-flowing similar
to fluids. But, it can also be very rigid. Lava is usually classified based on a
number of factors, such as the viscosity and composition of the lava that spews
out. A few highlights related to lava are as follows:
● The larger the amount of silica present in lava, the higher is its viscosity
(thickness).
● Lava is a combination of silicate minerals like olivine, amphibole, quartz,
mica, feldspar and pyroxene.
● The above mentioned composition exhibits the behavior of lava, rather than
its temperature during an eruption.
● Lava flow can be categorized into three basic types – Aa lava flow,
pahoehoe lava flow and blocky lava flow. The Aa flow consists of free
lumps of sharp lava pieces, while pahoehoe flow is comparatively smooth.
On the other hand, blocky flow is more or less comparable to Aa flow. But,
it is relatively more viscous.

Check out the linked article on the Biogeochemical Cycles for the UPSC Exams
now!
Page - 3
What is Magma?
Magma is the molten or semi-molten rock or volatile matter that is found under
the surface of the earth. This vicious or molten rock resides in the magma
chamber underneath a volcano or hardens underground to form an intrusion. The
magma either fills up the fissures in rocks or comes out of volcanoes in
eruptions. Certain mechanisms of magma formation in the mantle are
decompression melting, heating and lowering of the solidus.
Origin Of Magma
● All magma forms through the fusing of pre-existing rocks. Usually, this
takes place in one of the below two ways:
(1) by convection of rock upwards through the mantle till it melts, or
(2) by melting rocks at a subduction zone.
● Mantle convection happens since deep inside the earth, radioactive
decomposition increases the temperature of rock, causing it to expand.
This expansion reduces the rock's density, causing it to rise or convect.
● As the rock rises via the mantle, the adjacent pressure decreases and
finally the convecting rock melts. This is called pressure-relief melting.
● The magma moves upward and breaks out to form either an oceanic ridge
or a hot spot volcano.
● At subduction zones, volatile matter (particularly water) escapes from the
subducting plate and lower will be the melting temperature of the overlying
mantle rocks. This initiates melting and magma forms as a result.
● As magma rises in the mantle and crust, it is subjected to fractional
crystallization. Each mineral in a rock possesses its own crystallization
temperature. Since various minerals crystallize at various temperatures,
some minerals form from magma earlier than others. Hence, the minerals
that crystallize later and the rocks that they form, will be of a varied
composition than those that form earlier.
● If a rock is not exposed to a high enough temperature to fuse all of its
minerals, only some minerals will melt. This is termed as partial melting. If a
rock melts partially, the magma developed will have a varied chemical
composition than the rock from which the magma emerged.
Types of Magmas
Usually, the magmas are classified into four different types:
Page - 4
 1. Ultramafic Magma
● The ultramafic magma attains temperatures of about 1500 degree
Celcius.
● It has a very low viscosity (which results in milder and less explosive
eruptions).
● It is distributed throughout divergent plate boundaries, hot spots and
convergent plate boundaries.
2. Mafic Magma
● The mafic magma attains temperatures of about 1300 degree
Celsius.
● This type of magma also possesses a low viscosity.
● It has mild eruptions.
● It is also distributed across divergent plate boundaries, hot spots and
convergent plate boundaries.
3. Intermediate Magma
● The intermediate magma attains temperatures of about 1200 degree
Celcius.
● The viscosity of this is intermediate.
● It has explosive or gushing eruptions.
● It is distributed throughout convergent plate boundaries and island
arcs.
4. Felsic Magma
● The felsic magma attains temperatures lesser than 900 degree
Celcius.
● It is extremely viscous.
● The eruptions are explosive in nature.
● It is commonly distributed in hot spots in the continental crust and
rifts.
Based on density, the magmas are categorized into the following three types:
1. Basalt Magma
2. Andesite Magma and
3. Rhyolite Magma

Check out the linked article on the Earth and the Solar System for the UPSC
Exams now!

Page - 5
What is Lava?
Magma, on reaching the surface and breaking out of a volcano is officially termed
as lava. It is a semi-solid, burning hot material. It reaches the surface via a
volcano duct or vent. When initially exuded from a volcanic opening, the hot lava
is at temperatures ranging from 700 °C to 1,200 °C.
Origin Of Lava
● Lava is a molten rock mass which is formed deep under the earth's surface,
where temperatures get hot enough to fuse rock. This fluid rock is called
magma when it's underground.
● Eventually, some magma reaches the earth's surface and flows out via a
volcanic outbreak. When magma erupts on the earth's surface and starts to
flow, it is termed lava. This magma, which is termed lava when it attains the
surface of the earth, is largely made up of basalt, which hardens and then
forms a layer on top of a layer of lava.
● Explosive outbreaks can throw lava to great distances. Most eruptions,
however, generate slow-moving lava flows that might cover just a few yards
per minute at the most.
Types of Lava
The Silicate lava is generally classified into five types:
1. Felsic Lava
● These are also called silicic lava.
● The silica content of the felsic lava is more than 60 percent.
● The felsic lava possesses extreme viscosity.
● On eruption of felsic lava, pyroclastic deposits are formed.
2. Intermediate Lava
● Intermediate lava are also termed as andesitic lava.
● The silica content in the intermediate lava ranges between 52 percent
and 63 percent.
● These types of lava generally occur on steep composite volcanoes.
● The temperature changes from 850 degree celsius to 1100 degree
celsius.
● It has low viscosity.
● Upon eruption, they form phenocrysts.
3. Mafic Lava
Page - 6
 ● They are also termed as basaltic lava.
● The silica content in the mafic lava ranges between 45 and 53
percent.
● Viscosity of mafic lava is comparatively low.
● Shield volcanoes or flood basalts are created by the mafic lava.
4. Ultramafic Lava
● The silica content of ultramafic lava is lower than 45 percent.
● Komatite, Boninite are some examples of ultramafic lava.
5. Alkaline Lava
● These are a form of silicic lava with an elevated content of alkali
metal oxides.
● The silica matter present in alkaline lava is that contained between
ferric lava and ultramafic lava.

Check out the linked article on the Pressure Belts of the Earth for the UPSC
Exams now!

Similarities between Magma and Lava

● Lava and Magma are precisely the same liquid rock, apart from the fact
that magma is beneath the surface of the Earth and lava is the magma that
breaks out onto the Earth’s surface.
● Their mineral composition is also the same.

What is the Difference Between Lava and Magma?

Parameter of Magma Lava
Comparison
Definition The molten rock matter The molten liquid matter
that is present under the that gets erupted out of
surface of the earth is the surface of the earth is
known as magma. known as lava. Lava is
also known as liquid
magma.
Temperature The temperature The temperature
possessed by magma is possessed by lava is
slightly higher and it slightly lesser and it
Page - 7
 varies from 1300-2400 varies from 1300-2200
degrees Fahrenheit. degrees Fahrenheit.
Period of Magma takes a longer Lava takes comparatively
Cooling time to cool down, since it a lesser time to cool
is situated under the Earth down than magma. At
surface which results in times, this results in lava
the creation of gigantic crystallizing into a glass.
crystals.
Location Magma is located below Magma is termed lava
the Earth’s crust. only when it reaches the
Earth’s surface.
Flow It does not flow due to the It is free to flow on the
Characteristics confined space and high surface of the earth
pressure in the magma resulting in severe
chambers. damage to the property
and the lives of humans.
Composition It is a mixture of minerals Lava is a combination of
and small quantities of slush of crystals, fluid and
dissolved gasses like bubbles. It also consists
carbon dioxide, sulfur, etc. of chemical elements.
Origin of the The term magma has an The term lava has its
Terminology ancient Greek origin. origins in the Italian
language.
Check out the linked article on the Difference between the Himalayan Region and
Peninsular Plateau for the UPSC Exams now!

Conclusion
Magma and Lava are both molten rocks possessing varied compositions. Magma
is made up of silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide and potassium oxide. Lava is
made up of silicon dioxide and magnesium oxide. The temperatures at which
magma and lava harden also vary; magma crystallizes at a temperature of 1,200
degrees Celsius, whereas lava crystallizes at a temperature of 950 degrees
Celsius. These variations account for the different physical properties of these
two types of molten rock.

Page - 8
We hope that all your doubts regarding the topic Magma and Lava have been
addressed after going through this article. Testbook provides an excellent quality
of comprehensive study material for different competitive examinations. Succeed
in your preparations for the UPSC exams by downloading the Testbook App
here!

Click on the linked article to download the Geography Notes for the UPSC
Exams now!

Page - 9