Alaska Volcano Observatory

Oblique aerial view of the Lost Jim lava flow. While the crust pahoehoe lava flows is generally smooth, they commonly have a hummocky, undulating surface caused by differing amounts of lava flow inflation. Inflation is a process where the supply of molten lava within the core of the flow is maintained, allowing the crust to continually thicken until the supply is cut off.

Credit: Image courtesy of AVO/USGS.
Use Restriction: Please cite the photographer and the Alaska Volcano Observatory / U.S. Geological Survey when using this image.
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