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Hawaiian word describing basalt with a glassy rope texture

User Divey
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Final answer:

The Hawaiian word for basalt with a glassy rope texture is 'Pahoehoe'. Pahoehoe lava flows have a smooth, ropy appearance and are commonly found on the slopes of Hawaii's volcanoes, forming from lava with low effusion rates that allows the surface to cool and solidify into this distinctive pattern.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Hawaiian word you are looking for is 'Pahoehoe'. Pahoehoe is a type of basaltic lava that has a characteristically smooth, ropy texture. This texture occurs when the surface of the lava cools and develops a skin while the lava beneath continues to flow, stretching this skin into rope-like shapes.

It is associated with vesicular volcanic rocks like vesicular basalt, which is modified by the presence of vesicles or holes from gas bubbles. Pahoehoe lava flows are common on the slopes of volcanoes in Hawaii, such as Kilauea, and they form when the lava effusion rates are low, allowing for the surface to cool and solidify in this unique texture.

The related term 'aa' refers to a more chunky and viscous type of lava flow with a rough, clinkery surface, and 'scoria' describes a type of basalt that is incredibly vesicular, often appearing red-brown due to oxidation of iron within the lava.

For example, during the 1960 Kapoho Eruption, vesicular porphyritic olivine basalt was produced, and the lava flows were of the aa type which can burrow under barriers.

Moreover, volcanic glass can be formed from a more viscous lava which cools rapidly, essential in creating the ropy texture seen in pahoehoe. In the context of Hawaii, pahoehoe is a spectacular display of Earth's geothermal energy as seen by the lava seeping along the east of Pu'u 'O'o crater.

User Oshyshko
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