Pahoehoe lava

Hawaiian term for basaltic lava that has a smooth, hummocky, or ropy surface. A pahoehoe flow typically advances as a series of small lobes and toes that continually break out from a cooled crust. The surface texture of pahoehoe flows varies widely, displaying all kinds of bizarre shapes often referred to as lava sculpture (see pahoehoe photo collection below).

Pahoehoe lava, Kilauea, Hawaii. Photo: J. Alean Pahoehoe photo collection

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