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Fire & Ice

Short answer: When lava, at temperatures that can exceed 1,100 to 1,200 degrees Celsius, flows onto snow, the snow melts and flashes to steam. The lava's crust and the steam layer slow heat transfer, so the flow can advance over snow surprisingly slowly, and trapped steam can burst in small explosions.

Meltwater can also cause floods or lahars. The footage, credited to ABC7 Los Angeles, shows lava advancing over snow.

VideoWrite-up2 sources
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What should you know about Fire & Ice?

Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.

  1. Lava exceeds 1,100 C.

    DD-391-F01 · Write-up · Exhibit A (Heat)

  2. Snow flashes to steam.

    DD-391-F02 · Write-up · Exhibit B (Steam)

Video transcript: Fire & Ice: Lava Flowing Over Snow Melts It Into Steam

Did you know, when lava flows over snow, it creates a fascinating interaction between intense heat and frozen water. The extreme heat of the lava, which can exceed 1,200 degrees celsius, or 2,200 degrees fahrenheit, causes the snow to melt rapidly, forming water that vaporizes into steam. This rapid vaporization can produce small explosions, as the steam builds up pressure beneath the lava. In some cases, the water generated by melting snow can form a barrier that slows or redirects the lava flow. NOW YOU KNOW!

Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 26.5s Reel ·

Video coming soonFire & Ice · Instagram Reel
Fire & Ice: Lava Flowing Over Snow Melts It Into Steam Instagram Reel · · 26.5s

The write-up

Lava flowing over snow melts it into steam. Trapped steam can cause small explosions.

  1. Exhibit A

    Heat

    Lava exceeds 1,100 C.

  2. Exhibit B

    Steam

    Snow flashes to steam.

  3. Exhibit C

    Explosions

    Trapped steam bursts.

  4. Exhibit D

    Insulation

    Steam slows heat transfer.

  5. Exhibit E

    Floods

    Meltwater can cause lahars.

Questions people ask about Fire & Ice

What does snow become?

Flash.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Heat) · Wikipedia: Lava

How hot is lava?

Molten.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Steam) · Wikipedia: Lava

What causes small explosions?

Pressure.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Explosions) · Wikipedia: Lava

What can meltwater cause?

Floods.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Insulation) · Wikipedia: Lava

Who is credited?

On-screen.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Floods) · Wikipedia: Lahar

Test Your Knowledge

All quizzes →

5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.

  1. What does snow become?

    1. Steam
    2. Ice
    3. Rock
    4. Glass
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Steam Flash. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Heat) · Wikipedia: Lava

  2. How hot is lava?

    1. Over 1,100 C
    2. 100 C
    3. 500 F
    4. 0 C
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Over 1,100 C Molten. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Steam) · Wikipedia: Lava

  3. What causes small explosions?

    1. Trapped steam
    2. Gas leaks
    3. Lightning
    4. Wind
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Trapped steam Pressure. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Explosions) · Wikipedia: Lava

  4. What can meltwater cause?

    1. Lahars
    2. Earthquakes
    3. Tornadoes
    4. Droughts
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Lahars Floods. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Insulation) · Wikipedia: Lava

  5. Who is credited?

    1. ABC7
    2. NASA
    3. BBC
    4. CNN
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. ABC7 On-screen. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Floods) · Wikipedia: Lahar

Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Fire & Ice." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-391, last updated Nov 25, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/fire-and-ice/

Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/fire-and-ice/ · Last updated

Markdown version

Cite a single fact by its ID, for example DD-391-F01 → https://detailenjoyer.com/case/fire-and-ice/#DD-391-F01