this once started a big fight: Is the term "molten lava" redundant?

[MnFats]

one side argued that if it''s lava, it's molten. others responded that it ain't necessarily so.
have at it, geology majors!

[Finder]

1. well...Lava can be molten or it can be hard(rock form). n/t

[Dogmudgeon]

2. Nope

Lava was originally the name given to the solidified rock.

"Magma" is the official name for the molten, semi-liquid stuff.

There may be some other nuances I may have missed, so if anyone can add to this or make corrections, have at it!

--p!

[shain from kane]

6. Who's an expert on magma? Dr. Evil? n/t

[OnyxCollie]

12. That's incorrect.

Magma is lava that is still underground. Lava occurs after a volcano erupts. Lava can be molten (liquid) or cooled (solid).

[GreenPartyVoter]

13. Right, once magma erupts it is lava

[Dogmudgeon]

16. Aha!

I'd heard that many years ago, and repeated it once -- and was informed that I was wrong.

And was laughed at.

But that happens when you're 13.

After all these years, vindication!

Thanks, blackops!

-p!

[OnyxCollie]

17. ¡De nada!

:toast:

[Rabrrrrrr]

3. Even after it's cooled, it's still lava

though then it's either a'a or pahoehoe lava, until it breaks down and becomes just lava rock or dirt or dust or what-have-you.

[uppityperson]

4. holy war

and no, lava can be cooled and hard also.

[SnoopDog]

5. Definition Lava

la·va (lä'və, lăv'ə) pronunciation
n.

1. Molten rock that reaches the earth's surface through a volcano or fissure.
2. The rock formed by the cooling and solidifying of molten rock.


From answer.com

[MADem]

7. A tough soap to use after tough jobs!!! n/t

[SnoopDog]

8. Especially if it is molten...!

[shain from kane]

9. Especially when you end up with pumice in that place

where the sun don't shine.

[SoCalDem]

10. Lava can be molten or Not

Lava fields are still called lava, even though they were molten AGES ago..

Molten is just a descriptive word..

You rush into a room saying you just saw a bunch of lava, and how interesting it was.. The people there might need to know if it was molten...depending on where you live :) Hawaii comes to mind.. they have both kinds:)

[rzemanfl]

11. You think that'll start a fight- ask about praying in restaurants! n/t

[spanone]

14. According to the department of redundancy department.....

la·va ( P ) Pronunciation Key (läv, lv)
n.
1. Molten rock that reaches the earth's surface through a volcano or fissure.

2. The rock formed by the cooling and solidifying of molten rock.

not necessarily so.

[Gabi Hayes]

15. whuh?