Why Do Lava Tubes Form?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why do lava tubes form?

The Big Idea

A lava tube is an empty tunnel left behind by a river of lava. The top of the river cools into a roof, while the hot lava keeps flowing below. When the lava drains away, the tunnel is left behind.

A Roof Forms

Step one: a roof forms. A river of lava cools where it touches the air, and the top hardens into a roof. The lava underneath stays hot and keeps moving.

A Warm Blanket

Step two: a warm blanket. Rock is a very poor heat conductor, so the roof acts like a thick blanket. The lava below stays runny and keeps flowing for a long way.

Lava Drains

Step three: the lava drains. When the eruption stops, the lava drains out of the tube. What is left is a hollow tunnel, called a lava tube.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! Up top, a hard roof of cooled lava. Below it, hot lava keeps flowing. When the eruption ends, the lava drains out. And an empty tunnel remains.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Some lava tubes are big enough for people to walk through. Only trained guides should lead visits to a tube. Tubes can last for thousands of years. Lava tubes also exist on the Moon and Mars, we think!

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Take a sheet of paper and a pencil. Draw a lava tube from the side, like a slice through a cake. Show the roof, the tunnel, and the rock around it. Then label each part.

Outro

Lava tubes form when a lava river grows a roof and then drains away. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!