Science Olympiad Dynamic Planet Practice Test

What do we call liquid magma that reaches Earth's surface?

1. Lava

2. Magma

3. Igneous Rock

4. Vent Gas

The correct answer is: Lava

When liquid magma reaches the Earth's surface, it is referred to as lava. This term specifically applies to the molten rock material that erupts from a volcano or flows from fissures in the ground, becoming an integral part of volcanic activity. Once lava cools and solidifies, it forms igneous rock, which is a broader category encompassing all rock types that originate from cooled magma or lava. The distinction between magma and lava is significant; magma refers to the molten rock found beneath the Earth's surface, while lava is that same material once it exits onto the surface. Vent gas is another volcanic phenomenon, comprising gases released during eruptions but is unrelated to the solid or molten rock. This terminology is crucial for understanding volcanic processes and the materials involved in them.