Breakdown may occur before or after a tube has drained and cooled. When it occurs during the cooling phase, breakdown falling onto a partially cooled floor may by welded to it by "segregations," material boiling out of the semi-solid floor matrix. Breakdown may also occur after a tube has cooled, but then be overflowed by a subsequent lava flow that  forms a coating and "welds" it together or on to the floor. Breakdown may also be moved downflow with the stream of lava before being emplaced, especially if its specific gravity is less than the molten lava on which it floats. As it moves, it may roll along and accumulate molten lava, becoming a lava ball.

 

Back to:
	Created: August 4, 2000 Author: Dave Bunnell