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CCSS: 3.MD.B.4; 4.MD.A.2; MP5, MP6, MP8

TEKS: 3.8, 4.8C, 5.7

Lava Lab

This scientist doesn’t have to visit a volcano to study lava

October 2017

By Andrew Grant

Wead/Shutterstock.com

There isn’t a volcano within 1,000 miles of Syracuse University in New York. But several times a year, you can see scorching orange lava there. Usually, this melted rock is only found erupting from a volcano.

Studying volcanic lava is difficult because eruptions are unpredictable and dangerous. That’s why Syracuse geologist Jeffrey Karson teamed up with sculptor Robert Wysocki to make their own lava.

There isn't a volcano within 1,000 miles of Syracuse University in New York. But you can see scorching orange lava there. Usually, this melted rock is only found erupting from a volcano. At Syracuse, you can see lava several times a year.

Studying volcanic lava is difficult. That’s because eruptions are unpredictable and dangerous. So Syracuse geologist Jeffrey Karson teamed up with sculptor Robert Wysocki. Together, they make their own lava.

Wysocki uses a furnace about the size of a bathtub to melt the rock. Little by little he feeds tiny rocks into the furnace. Eventually he has a bubbling cauldron filled with hundreds of pounds of lava at 2,200 degrees Fahrenheit. “As the lava cooks, it looks like glowing orange oatmeal,” says Karson.

Wysocki uses a furnace to melt the rock. It’s about the size of a bathtub. Little by little he feeds tiny rocks into the furnace. Eventually he has a bubbling cauldron. It’s filled with hundreds of pounds of lava. Its temperature is 2,200 degrees Fahrenheit. "As the lava cooks, it looks like glowing orange oatmeal," says Karson.

Once the lava is red-hot, it’s ready to flow. Karson builds a track and pours the bubbling lava over it. The lava flows just like it would out of a real volcano. College students, teachers, and neighborhood children gather to watch. Kids throw objects into the lava to see what happens. They’ve also roasted marshmallows and hot dogs over the liquid rock!

Once the lava is red-hot, it's ready to flow. Karson builds a track. They he pours the bubbling lava over it. The lava flows just like it would out of a real volcano. College students, teachers, and neighborhood children gather to watch. Kids throw objects into the lava. They they watch what happens. They've also roasted marshmallows and hot dogs over the liquid rock!

The lava shows aren’t just for fun. They’re important for science too. Karson can study things like how far and fast lava flows without having to travel to an actual volcano. This knowledge could help when gushing lava puts lives in danger during a real eruption. “No one else in the world is doing anything like this,” he says.

The lava shows aren't just for fun. They're important for science too. Karson can study things. One thing they study is how far and fast lava flows without having to travel to an actual volcano. This knowledge could help during a real eruption. At that point, gushing lava puts lives in danger. ”No one else in the world is doing anything like this," he says.

MATH TALK:

What physical properties of a lava flow could be measured?

MATH TALK:

What physical properties of a lava flow could be measured?

Hands-on Math: Measurement and Data

Question: How does temperature affect the rate at which different substances flow?

Materials: maple syrup • chocolate syrup • molasses • three small glasses or glass jars • stack of books • three measuring tablespoons • metal baking sheet • ruler • stopwatch • shallow tray of hot water

Hands-on Math: Measurement and Data

Question: How does temperature affect the rate at which different substances flow?

Materials:* maple syrup • chocolate syrup • molasses • three small glasses or glass jars • stack of books • three measuring tablespoons • metal baking sheet • ruler • stopwatch • shallow tray of hot water

1. Fill each jar about halfway with a different liquid. Write down what you observe about each of the three liquids.

2. Make a stack of books that is about 25 centimeters (10 inches) tall.

3. Lay the baking sheet flat. Drop one tablespoon of maple syrup at one end. Make sure to leave room so you can evenly space two more tablespoons of liquid.

4. Place the end of the sheet with the liquid on top of the stack of books. Start your stopwatch. Record how long it takes the maple syrup to reach the bottom. Round to the nearest second.

5. Lay the sheet flat. Use a clean spoon to drop one tablespoon of chocolate syrup on a clean part of the sheet.

6. Tilt the sheet again so the new drop is at the top of the stack. Use your stopwatch to measure how long it takes the chocolate syrup to reach the bottom. Round to the nearest second.

7. Repeat steps 5 and 6, using the molasses.

8. Carefully place the jars in the warm water for about 15 minutes. While you wait, clean and dry the baking sheet.

9. Repeat steps 3 through 7 with the warmed liquids.