Birth of Lava Tubes

Formation of lava tubes requires a special kind of volcanic eruption: those where fluid lava flows down the sides. The more explosive type of eruption known as pyroclastic, where rocks, cinders, and ash are ejected, don’t form tubes. Within fluid lava flows, there are two main mechanisms for forming tubes. In one type, the upper surface of the lava flow begins to cool, and the lava beneath continues to flow in tubular conduits beneath the surface. In another common scenario, channels carrying lava become roofed over as material accretes to the side, eventually forming a solid roof.

Due to the insulating effects of the hardened lava above, molten lava is able to travel considerable distance underground with very little cooling. In Hawaii, lava tubes have carried fluid lavas 50 or more miles from their source and thereby played a large role in shaping the islands.

Whether on the surface or underground, flowing lava behaves like most rivers would, flowing downhill, around obstructions. Lava flowing underground sometimes returns to the surface through existing skylights, or ruptures the surface when the flow volume becomes too high, creating a breakout entrance.

All the photos on this page, except for the top one, were taken by scientists working for the U.S. Geological Survey based at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, and are used by permission of the USGS.