The molten material beneath the Earth's surface is called magma. Magma is a hot, viscous mixture of molten rock, suspended crystals, dissolved gases, and minerals found within the Earth's crust and mantle
. When this molten material reaches the Earth's surface through volcanic eruptions, it is then called lava
. In summary:
- Magma : Molten rock beneath the surface, containing melt, crystals, and gases.
- Lava : Magma that has erupted onto the surface.
This distinction is important in geology and volcanology to describe the state and location of the molten material
