Scientists reproduce the lava explosion

Scientists at Buffalo University create lava explosions . They want to study why sometimes lava comes into contact with water, leading to an explosion, and trying to reproduce the conditions that help the reaction to occur in practice.

Some explosions occur naturally, some others need to use stimulating hammer.

The team cooked lava from basalt, poured it into steel barrels of different heights and pumped more water.

Some explosions occur naturally, some others need to use stimulating hammer. This simulates the natural process called "coolant interaction - molten fuel" that occurs when water creates a sudden lava explosion in a volcanic eruption.

The study aims to help people living near volcanoes and where water is prepared for explosions.

The results are published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth.