How hot is a volcano?
Donna Lord
Dear Donna,
It depends on the composition of the material being erupted. Eruptions
of basalt are in the temperature range of 1,800-2,300 F (1,000-1,250 C).
Eruptions of rhyolite are in a temperature range of 1,300-1,650 F
(700-900 C).
I have be fortunate to spend time at new basaltic vents and lots of lava
flows in Hawaii. Although the lava was very hot could be approached by
standing upwind. I could stand only a few feet from the lava. I few
times the wind shifted and I received a strong reminder of just how hot
the lava was.
Steve Mattox, University of North Dakota
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