News

This is what happens when you walk on lava

What happens if you step on lava? The world now has an answer, thanks to the efforts of Alex Rivest.

While in Hawaii, he filmed his tour guide demonstrating the consistency of molten lava at the Kilauea volcano. The tour guide's step caused a slight indentation because lava is made from molten rock, rather than a pure liquid substance.

"I think that many people think of lava as more of a hot-watery-like substance. You would never fall into a lava lake the way you would a swimming pool, the molten rock is much more dense, so you would simply land on it, sink a little, and be burned," Rivest explains.

If you are inspired to try and do something similar yourself, Rivest has a tip for you: "Do not try this. This was done by a professional and only for demonstration purposes, to show how viscous the molten rock is."

More: Video: Volcano eruption captured by tourist

The Conversation (0)
x