# Fire & Ice (DD-391)

> When lava, at temperatures that can exceed 1,100 to 1,200 degrees Celsius, flows onto snow, the snow melts and flashes to steam. The lava's crust and the steam layer slow heat transfer, so the flow can advance over snow surprisingly slowly, and trapped steam can burst in small explosions. Meltwater can also cause floods or lahars. The footage, credited to ABC7 Los Angeles, shows lava advancing over snow.

- Department: Nature
- First published: 2024-11-25
- Last updated: 2024-11-25
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/fire-and-ice/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## Quick facts

- **DD-391-F01**: Lava exceeds 1,100 C. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Heat))_
- **DD-391-F02**: Snow flashes to steam. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (Steam))_

## Write-up

Lava flowing over snow melts it into steam. Trapped steam can cause small explosions.

1. **Heat**: Lava exceeds 1,100 C.
2. **Steam**: Snow flashes to steam.
3. **Explosions**: Trapped steam bursts.
4. **Insulation**: Steam slows heat transfer.
5. **Floods**: Meltwater can cause lahars.

## Related case files

- [Liquid Rock (DD-298)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/liquid-rock/): I linked more lava

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: None needed.

## Video: Fire & Ice: Lava Flowing Over Snow Melts It Into Steam

- Duration: 26.5 s · Published: 2024-11-25
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/DCzYE0GplFd.mp4

### Transcript

Did you know, when lava flows over snow, it creates a fascinating interaction between intense heat and frozen water. The extreme heat of the lava, which can exceed 1,200 degrees celsius, or 2,200 degrees fahrenheit, causes the snow to melt rapidly, forming water that vaporizes into steam. This rapid vaporization can produce small explosions, as the steam builds up pressure beneath the lava. In some cases, the water generated by melting snow can form a barrier that slows or redirects the lava flow. NOW YOU KNOW!

## Questions & answers

**Q: What does snow become?**  
A: Flash. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Heat) · Wikipedia: Lava)_

**Q: How hot is lava?**  
A: Molten. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Steam) · Wikipedia: Lava)_

**Q: What causes small explosions?**  
A: Pressure. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Explosions) · Wikipedia: Lava)_

**Q: What can meltwater cause?**  
A: Floods. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Insulation) · Wikipedia: Lava)_

**Q: Who is credited?**  
A: On-screen. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Floods) · Wikipedia: Lahar)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Lava](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lava)
- [Wikipedia: Lahar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lahar)

## Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Fire & Ice." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-391, last updated Nov 25, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/fire-and-ice/