Formation of Lava Tunnel

When the volcano in Jingpohu area erupted,the turbulent and hot lava flow run down through the lowlands of river valley due to the gravity. After the solidification of lava flow surface froze, the underlying liquid lava still remained underflow. When no subsequent lava supplied, the flowing lava beneath the hardened surface would gradually drain off, so that a cave like tunnel was formed in the lava interior, i.e. lava tunnel, which is also called lava cave.

Not all the volcanic eruptions can form lava tunnels, such as Wudalianchi and Leiqiong volcanic eruptions. Their lava tunnels are not as typical as Jingpohu lava tunnels. In addition, few lava tunnels have been reported in other volcanic areas in our country.

Lava tunnels are only formed by lava flows with specific composition and topographical environment.

Annotation:

a. The edges of lava flow running through the river valley cooled down first and solidified, while the central part of the lava flow kept flowing.

b. The central part of the liquid lava flow tended to be cylindrical or tubular as the edge of the lava flow solidified.

c. The liquid lava flow could not fill the whole tunnel as the lava supply reduced. The burning gas above the liquid lava flow melted the previously solidified lava roof again, which dripped and formed the lava stalactites.

d. The level of the liquid lava flow lowered down as the lava supply further reduced, and formed the floor of the lava tunnel at last.

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