Illustrated Volcano Glossary

Updated: May 3, 2024 11:59 GMT - refresh

lava fountain: Volcanology

Lava fountain on Etna volcano (June 24, 2001)
Lava fountain on Etna volcano (Feb 16, 2000)
Lava fountain on Etna volcano (Oct 30, 2002)
Lava fountain on Etna volcano (June 24, 2001)
Lava fountain on Etna volcano (Feb 15, 2000)
Lava fountain n Etna volcano (17 June, 2001)

Jets of fluid lava propelled into the air from an erupting vent, driven by expanding gasses.

Lava fountains are sustained jets of (usually very) fluid lava into the atmosphere. Lava fountains occur commonly on basaltic volcanoes such as Kilauea, or Etna.
The fountain gains its momentum by the expansion of gas bubbles that dissolve from the magma as pressure falls while it is rising in the conduit.
Heights, appearance, duration and erupted volumes of lava fountains can vary greatly. Strong fountains can reach several hundreds of meters. Lava fountains of Vesuvius in 1779 have even reached an estimated height of 3 km!

Related keywords (4):
Coulée de lave - explosive - Hawaiian eruption - lava flow

More on VolcanoDiscovery

Iceland
16-30 Jul 2022

Colors of Iceland
Mighty waterfalls, hot pools and geysers, giant glaciers , ... Explore the variety of Iceland´s landscapes learn how they were formed through tectonic plates drifting apart and different types of volcanism.

Subduction zones

Convergent plate boundaries and subduction zones
As an oceanic plates collides with another plate, it is subducted and generates volcanism on the overlying plate.

Gorely

Gorely volcano photos
Gorely is a young and very active shield volcano in southern Kamchatka. It is one of Kamchatka's easiest volcanoes to climb and offers stunning views into vast craters and the surrounding landscape.

Hawai'i

Hawai'i and Kilauea volcano photos
Lava flows, lava lakes, eruptions and aerial images from Kilauea on the Big Island of Hawai'i throughout the years.

Hawai'i

Volcano Tours on Hawai'i
The Hawaiian Islands are not only home to the most active volcanoes in the world, Kilauea and Mauna Loa on the Big Island, but also boast a unique natural environment. Born by volcanic activity of a very active hot spot in the middle of the Pacific Plate, they are a showcase of natural history.

Support us - Help us upgrade our services!

We truly love working to bring you the latest volcano and earthquake data from around the world. Maintaining our website and our free apps does require, however, considerable time and resources.
We need financing to increase hard- and software capacity as well as support our editor team. We're aiming to achieve uninterrupted service wherever an earthquake or volcano eruption unfolds, and your donations can make it happen! Every donation will be highly appreciated. If you find the information useful and would like to support our team in integrating further features, write great content, and in upgrading our soft- and hardware, please make a donation (PayPal or Online credit card payment).

Planned features: