The topic pahoehoe is discussed in the following articles:


  • TITLE: lava (volcanic ejecta)
    Mafic (ferromagnesian, dark-coloured) lavas such as basalt characteristically form flows known by the Hawaiian names pahoehoe and aa (or a’a). Pahoehoe lava flows are characterized by smooth, gently undulating, or broadly hummocky surfaces. The liquid lava flowing beneath a thin, still-plastic crust drags and wrinkles it into tapestry-like folds and rolls resembling twisted...
  • TITLE: volcano (geology)
    SECTION: Lava flows
  • TITLE: volcano (geology)
    SECTION: Determinants of size and shape

formation of lava tubes

  • TITLE: cave
    SECTION: Lava tubes
    ...They are the channels of rivers of lava that at some earlier time flowed downslope from a volcanic vent or fissure. Lava tubes develop best in highly fluid lava, notably a basaltic type known as pahoehoe. They rarely form in rough, clinkery aa flows or in the more massive block lavas. In pahoehoe flows volatile components remain in solution in the molten rock where they decrease both the...