Difference Between Magma And Lava

tl;dr
Magma is hotter and thicker than lava, while lava is cooler and less viscous.

Magma and lava are both molten rock that is expelled from volcanoes, but they are different in several ways. Magma is molten rock located beneath the Earth's surface. It is made up of silicates, which are minerals that contain silicon and oxygen, as well as other elements such as aluminum, iron, and magnesium. Magma is usually much hotter than lava, ranging from 700 to 1,200 degrees Celsius. It is also more viscous, meaning it is thicker and slower-moving than lava.

Lava, on the other hand, is molten rock that is expelled from a volcano during an eruption. It is made up of the same minerals as magma, but it is much cooler, typically ranging from 700 to 1,100 degrees Celsius. Lava is also much less viscous than magma, meaning it is thinner and faster-moving.

The composition of magma and lava can vary depending on the type of volcano and the type of eruption. Magma and lava can also contain various amounts of dissolved gases, such as carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and water vapor.

In summary, magma and lava are both molten rock expelled from volcanoes, but they differ in temperature, viscosity, and composition. Magma is hotter and thicker than lava, while lava is cooler and less viscous.