Earth Science
Confusing Magma and Lava
Students call all hot melted rock lava, even when it is still underground.
Quick check
Why students make it
Magma and lava look like the same melted rock in pictures. The confusing part is that the name changes based on where the melted rock is found.
The rule done right
Magma is melted rock under Earth's surface. Lava is magma after it reaches Earth's surface.
Related resources
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Volcanoes Types and Eruption Infographic -
Rock Cycle Infographic -
Three Kinds of Rocks Infographic -
Plate Tectonics and Earthquakes Infographic -
Plate Boundaries Infographic - Volcanoes & Igneous Activity Cheat Sheet
- Volcano Types & Eruption Styles Cheat Sheet
- Rock Cycle & Minerals Cheat Sheet
- Earth's Layers & Internal Structure Cheat Sheet
- Plate Boundary Types & Examples Cheat Sheet
- Science, Rocks Minerals and the Rock Cycle Worksheet
- Earth Science, Types of Rocks, Igneous, Sedimentary, Metamorphic Worksheet
- Earth Science, Volcanoes and Earthquakes Worksheet
- Earth Science, Plate Tectonics and Continental Drift Worksheet
- Earth Science, Natural Disasters, Causes and Effects Worksheet
- Rock Cycle Explorer Tool
- Plate Tectonics Explorer Tool
- Rock Layers & Landscape Change Explorer Tool
- Earth Systems Interactions Explorer Tool
- Volcano Eruption Lab Lab
- Earth History Lab Lab
- Earthquake Feed Map Lab