Does paehoehoe texture result from only fissure eruptions, and does aa texture result from only central point eruptions? (Or can either type of volcanic eruption cause either type of lava texture?)

-- Erika Whittemore (ewhittem@oswego.edu), April 09, 2001

Answers

both ropy pahoehoe and "aa" form not only from fissures but from the formation of flood basalts. As the lava cools in flood basalts, it forms either of the two forms. Pahoehoe cools as a shiny glossy textured lava, and "aa" cools and the surface breaks to form jagged lava.

-- Jared Cestaro (cestaro@oswego.edu), April 19, 2001.