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Graphic Showing Lava-Tube Formation

Five-pane graphic showing lava tube formation.

The numbers and text describe a typical progression of events. In step 4, a crust may develop along the edges of a channel and merge like a zipper in the center. Alternatively, separate crustal plates may form, tear loose, and drift along until they fuse to one another and the channel sides. In a turbulent lava flow, splashing and overflow along the channel create levees that may arch over the channel and join. A crust may thicken via repeated overflows onto its surface and accretion of cooled lava on its underside. Lava can also erode downward, deepening the tube and leaving empty space above the flowing lava.

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Graphic by Trista Thornberry-Ehrlich (Colorado State University) after USGS graphic by Bruce Rogers.

Public domain:Full Granting Rights

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Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, Code: CRMO

Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, Idaho
Latitude: 43.0189094543457, Longitude: -113.626800537109

NPS.gov Collection

01/01/0001

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Wednesday, July 21, 2021 3:12:14 PM

Wednesday, July 21, 2021 4:54:26 PM

Figure_30_CRMO_LavaTubeFormation_0718-2017_tte-01.jpg

Monday, January 1, 0001 12:00:00 AM

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