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Name: Chompoo
Status: Student
Grade: 4-5
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: May 2006
Question:
What object or material does lava not go through, or cannot destroy?


Replies:
Depending upon conditions, lava can have a temperature from 500C. to about 1500C. --about 900F. to 2700F. There are many materials that can withstand that temperature, for example the metal tungsten has a melting point of about 3400 C., but a material would also have to withstand the pressure of the flow of molten lava, which is very dense. Silicate minerals (depending upon specific composition) can also withstand those temperatures, otherwise lava would not be contained under the Earth's crust. Ocean water too can withstand that temperature by cooling and solidifying the lava. While the temperature of lava is high, it is not as high as the temperature of other materials. You can look up more details at the website:

http://www.geo.ua.edu/volcanology/lecture_notes_files/lava_flows.html

Vince Calder


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