GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Pāhoehoe. Pāhoehoe lava flows are not as common as ‘a’ā flows. Pāhoehoe will generally only form in lavas erupted with a slow rate and that travel at slower speeds on gently-sloping ground. Pāhoehoe flows may travel as sheets, in lava channels, and in lava tubes.

Detailed explanation-2: -’A’ā (pronounced “ah-ah") is a Hawaiian term for lava flows that have a rough rubbly surface composed of broken lava blocks called clinkers. The incredibly spiny surface of a solidified ‘A’ā flow makes walking very difficult and slow.

Detailed explanation-3: -Pahoehoe lava flows are produced from a small amount of lava that moves slowly, while aa flows usually are associated with a large volume of lava that moves swiftly. Aa flows are generally 6-15 feet thick and pahoehoe flows are usually 1-3 feet thick.

Detailed explanation-4: -Pahoehoe is lava that in solidified form is characterized by a smooth, billowy, or ropy surface, while aa is lava that has a rough, jagged, spiny, and generally clinkery surface. In thick aa flows, the rubbly surface of loose clinkers and blocks hides a massive, relatively dense interior.