pillow lava
Quick Summary
Pillow lava is a type of lava, commonly basaltic in composition, that forms rounded, pillow-like masses. This distinctive shape is believed to be the result of submarine eruptions or flows, where the lava is rapidly quenched by the surrounding water.12
Pillow lava is a specific form of igneous rock that emerges as liquid magma onto Earth's surface. The temperatures of molten lava can range from 700 to 1,200 °C (1,300 to 2,200 °F). The viscosity, or resistance to flow, of lava is influenced by its silica content; higher silica content leads to greater viscosity. Pillow structures are essentially pillow lavas.23
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Earth explorationConclusions about the deep Earth…and cools rapidly is called pillow basalt, while the underlying material that cools more slowly forms gabbros and sheeted dikes. Sediments gradually accumulate on top of these, producing a comparatively simple pattern of sediment, basaltic basement, gabbroic layering, and underlying mantle structure. Much of the heat flow from the solid…
Read More…and cools rapidly is called pillow basalt, while the underlying material that cools more slowly forms gabbros and sheeted dikes. Sediments gradually accumulate on top of these, producing a comparatively simple pattern of sediment, basaltic basement, gabbroic layering, and underlying mantle structure. Much of the heat flow from the solid…
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oceanic crust…are generally of two types: pillow lavas and sheet flows. Pillow lavas appear to be shaped exactly as the name implies—like large overstuffed pillows about 1 metre (3 feet) in cross section and 1 to several metres long. They commonly form small hills tens of metres high at the spreading…
Read More…are generally of two types: pillow lavas and sheet flows. Pillow lavas appear to be shaped exactly as the name implies—like large overstuffed pillows about 1 metre (3 feet) in cross section and 1 to several metres long. They commonly form small hills tens of metres high at the spreading…
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