There are two main types of lava that are very different and can both perform devastating damage.
Aa, a basaltic lava, owns a rough surface and cools quickly and flows fast. This lava flow is thick compared to Pahoehoe and is solid. After Kilauea erupted a coal like substance, Hawaiian volcanologist Clarence Dutton called this type of lava Aa.
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Pahoehoe has a smooth ropy surface and is relatively thin. This word was introduced by Clarence Dutton once again. Pahoehoe flows slowly and cools slowly. Pahoehoe flows are a lot less vicious and hotter than Aa flows. While flowing along, Pahoehoe can gradually change into Aa but never in reverse.
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