GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -The pahoehoe flow has a comparatively smooth or “ropy” surface. The surface of the aa flow consists of free chunks of very angular pieces of lava. This difference in form reflects flow dynamics.

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: -The surface of aʻā lava is sharp, rough, and ‘clinkery’, while Pāhoehoe lava surfaces have more smooth, billowy, or ropy crust.

Detailed explanation-4: -A’a lava is much more ragged in appearance. It’s more viscous and moves faster, and it carries broken lava blocks called clinkers that cover the actual lava flow. Pahoehoe lava can sometimes turn into a’a lava when it encounters a steep slope.

Detailed explanation-5: -In contrast to pahoehoe, the surface of aa lava is exceedingly rough, covered with a layer of partly loose, very irregular fragments commonly called clinkers. Aa lava flows are fed principally by rivers of liquid lava flowing in open channels.