Water vs. Lava — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 17, 2024
Water is a clear, colorless liquid essential for life, whereas lava is a molten rock ejected by volcanoes, used in geological formations.
Difference Between Water and Lava
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Water is found naturally in various states—liquid, solid (ice), and gas (vapor)—supporting all known life forms. Whereas lava, existing primarily as molten rock, emerges during volcanic eruptions, shaping the Earth's surface.
Water is crucial for hydration and numerous biological processes in living organisms. On the other hand, lava, when cooled, forms igneous rock, contributing to the geological diversity and mineral richness of the planet.
Water cycles naturally through evaporation, condensation, and precipitation, a critical part of the Earth's climate system. In contrast, lava flows are sporadic, occurring mainly during volcanic activity and leading to new land formations and alterations in landscape.
Water is used extensively in agriculture, industry, and households for various purposes, from irrigation to sanitation. Lava, however, is significant in geothermal energy production and as a natural material for construction once solidified.
Water's properties, such as its boiling point, freezing point, and surface tension, are pivotal in many scientific studies. Lava's properties, like viscosity and temperature, play crucial roles in the study of volcanology and earth sciences.
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Comparison Chart
State at Room Temperature
Liquid
Solid (as cooled rock)
Role in Nature
Supports all life forms
Forms new land and minerals
Usage
Drinking, agriculture, industry
Geothermal energy, construction
Scientific Importance
Studied in hydrology, climate science
Studied in volcanology, geology
Impact on Environment
Essential for ecosystems
Alters landscapes dramatically
Compare with Definitions
Water
Liquid essential for life.
Humans must consume water daily to stay hydrated.
Lava
Can reach temperatures over 1,000°C.
The temperature of lava makes it extremely dangerous.
Water
Universal solvent.
Water dissolves more substances than any other liquid.
Lava
Affects geographical features.
Lava flows can create islands and reshape landscapes.
Water
Part of the water cycle.
Water evaporates, then condenses into clouds before falling as precipitation.
Lava
Used in creating fertile soils.
Lava decomposes into rich minerals that enhance soil fertility.
Water
Boils at 100°C, freezes at 0°C.
Water turns to ice in freezing temperatures.
Lava
Forms igneous rocks when cooled.
Basalt is a common type of rock formed from cooled lava.
Water
Major component of Earth's surface.
Water covers about 71% of the Earth's surface.
Lava
Molten rock from volcanoes.
Lava flows are a common sight during volcanic eruptions.
Water
Water (chemical formula H2O) is an inorganic, transparent, tasteless, odorless, and nearly colorless chemical substance, which is the main constituent of Earth's hydrosphere and the fluids of all known living organisms (in which it acts as a solvent). It is vital for all known forms of life, even though it provides no calories or organic nutrients.
Lava
Lava is molten rock (magma) that has been expelled from the interior of a terrestrial planet (such as Earth) or a moon. Magma is generated by the internal heat of the planet or moon and it is erupted as lava at volcanoes or through fractures in the crust, usually at temperatures from 800 to 1,200 °C (1,470 to 2,190 °F).
Water
A colourless, transparent, odourless liquid that forms the seas, lakes, rivers, and rain and is the basis of the fluids of living organisms
Sodium chloride dissolves in water
Can I have a drink of water?
Lava
Molten rock that reaches the earth's surface through a volcano or fissure.
Water
A stretch or area of water, such as a river, sea, or lake
The lawns ran down to the water's edge
Lava
The rock formed by the cooling and solidifying of molten rock.
Water
Urine
Drinking alcohol will make you need to pass water more often
Lava
The molten rock ejected by a volcano from its crater or fissured sides.
Water
The amniotic fluid surrounding a fetus in the womb, especially as discharged in a flow shortly before birth
I think my waters have broken
Lava
Magma.
Water
The quality of transparency and brilliance shown by a diamond or other gem.
Lava
A shade of red, named after the volcanic lava.
Water
Capital stock that represents a book value greater than the true assets of a company.
Lava
The melted rock ejected by a volcano from its top or fissured sides. It flows out in streams sometimes miles in length. It also issues from fissures in the earth's surface, and forms beds covering many square miles, as in the Northwestern United States.
Water
Pour or sprinkle water over (a plant or area) in order to encourage plant growth
I went out to water the geraniums
Lava
Rock that in its molten form (as magma) issues from volcanos; lava is what magma is called when it reaches the surface
Water
(of a person's eyes) fill with tears
Rory blinked, his eyes watering
Water
Increase (a company's debt, or nominal capital) by the issue of new shares without a corresponding addition to assets.
Water
A clear, colorless, odorless, and tasteless liquid, H2O, essential for most plant and animal life and the most widely used of all solvents. Freezing point 0°C (32°F); boiling point 100°C (212°F); specific gravity (4°C) 1.0000; weight per gallon (15°C) 8.338 pounds (3.782 kilograms).
Water
Any of various forms of water
Waste water.
Water
Often waters Naturally occurring mineral water, as at a spa.
Water
A body of water such as a sea, lake, river, or stream.
Water
Waters A particular stretch of sea or ocean, especially that of a state or country
Escorted out of British waters.
Water
A supply of water
Had to turn off the water while repairing the broken drain.
Water
A water supply system.
Water
Any of the fluids normally secreted from the body, such as urine, perspiration, tears, or saliva.
Water
A fluid present in a body part in abnormal quantities as a result of injury or disease
Water on the knee.
Water
The fluid surrounding a fetus in the uterus; amniotic fluid.
Water
An aqueous solution of a substance, especially a gas
Ammonia water.
Water
A wavy finish or sheen, as of a fabric or metal.
Water
The valuation of the assets of a business firm beyond their real value.
Water
Stock issued in excess of paid-in capital.
Water
The transparency and luster of a gem.
Water
A level of excellence.
Water
To pour or sprinkle water on; make wet
Watered the garden.
Water
To give drinking water to.
Water
To lead (an animal) to drinking water.
Water
To dilute or weaken by adding water
A bar serving whiskey that had been watered.
Water
To give a sheen to the surface of (fabric or metal).
Water
To increase (the number of shares of stock) without increasing the value of the assets represented.
Water
To irrigate (land).
Water
To produce or discharge fluid, as from the eyes.
Water
To salivate in anticipation of food
The wonderful aroma from the kitchen makes my mouth water.
Water
To take on a supply of water, as a ship.
Water
To drink water, as an animal.
Water
(uncountable) A substance (of molecular formula H2O) found at room temperature and pressure as a clear liquid; it is present naturally as rain, and found in rivers, lakes and seas; its solid form is ice and its gaseous form is steam.
By the action of electricity, the water was resolved into its two parts, oxygen and hydrogen.
Water
The liquid form of this substance: liquid H2O.
May I have a glass of water?
Your plants need more water.
Water
(countable) A serving of liquid water.
Water
The aforementioned liquid, considered one of the Classical elements or basic elements of alchemy.
And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.
He showed me the river of living water, sparkling like crystal, flowing from the throne of God.
Water
Water in a body; an area of open water.
The boat was found within the territorial waters.
These seals are a common sight in the coastal waters of Chile.
Water
A body of water, almost always a river.
Water
A combination of water and other substance(s).
Water
Mineral water.
Perrier is the most popular water in this restaurant.
Water
Spa water.
Many people visit Bath to take the waters.
Water
(pharmacy) A solution in water of a gaseous or readily volatile substance.
Ammonia water
Water
Urine.
Water
Amniotic fluid or the amniotic sac containing it. Used only in the plural in the UK but often also in the singular in North America. (The Merriam-Webster Medical Dictionary says "often used in plural; also: bag of waters".)
Before the child is born, the pregnant woman’s water breaks.
Before your child is born, your water(s) will break.
Before the child is born, the pregnant woman’s waters break.
Water
Fluids in the body, especially when causing swelling.
He suffers from water on the knee.
Water
A state of affairs; conditions; usually with an adjective indicating an adverse condition.
The rough waters of change will bring about the calm after the storm.
Water
A person's intuition.
I know he'll succeed. I feel it in my waters.
Water
Excess valuation of securities.
Water
The limpidity and lustre of a precious stone, especially a diamond.
A diamond of the first water is perfectly pure and transparent
Water
A wavy, lustrous pattern or decoration such as is imparted to linen, silk, metals, etc.
Water
(transitive) To pour water into the soil surrounding (plants).
Water
(transitive) To wet or supply with water; to moisten; to overflow with water; to irrigate.
Water
(transitive) To provide (animals) with water for drinking.
I need to water the cattle.
Water
(intransitive) To get or take in water.
The ship put into port to water.
Water
To urinate onto.
Nature called, so I stepped into the woods and watered a tree.
Water
(transitive) To dilute.
Can you water the whisky, please?
Water
To overvalue (securities), especially through deceptive accounting.
Water
(intransitive) To fill with or secrete water.
Chopping onions makes my eyes water.
The smell of fried onions makes my mouth water.
Water
(transitive) To wet and calender, as cloth, so as to impart to it a lustrous appearance in wavy lines; to diversify with wavelike lines.
To water silk
Water
The fluid which descends from the clouds in rain, and which forms rivers, lakes, seas, etc.
Water
A body of water, standing or flowing; a lake, river, or other collection of water.
Remembering he had passed over a small water a poor scholar when first coming to the university, he kneeled.
Water
Any liquid secretion, humor, or the like, resembling water; esp., the urine.
Water
A solution in water of a gaseous or readily volatile substance; as, ammonia water.
Water
The limpidity and luster of a precious stone, especially a diamond; as, a diamond of the first water, that is, perfectly pure and transparent. Hence, of the first water, that is, of the first excellence.
Water
An addition to the shares representing the capital of a stock company so that the aggregate par value of the shares is increased while their value for investment is diminished, or "diluted."
Water
To wet or supply with water; to moisten; to overflow with water; to irrigate; as, to water land; to water flowers.
With tears watering the ground.
Men whose lives gilded on like rivers that water the woodlands.
Water
To supply with water for drink; to cause or allow to drink; as, to water cattle and horses.
Water
To add water to (anything), thereby extending the quantity or bulk while reducing the strength or quality; to extend; to dilute; to weaken.
Water
To shed, secrete, or fill with, water or liquid matter; as, his eyes began to water.
If thine eyes can water for his death.
Water
To get or take in water; as, the ship put into port to water.
Water
Binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
Water
The part of the earth's surface covered with water (such as a river or lake or ocean);
They invaded our territorial waters
They were sitting by the water's edge
Water
Facility that provides a source of water;
The town debated the purification of the water supply
First you have to cut off the water
Water
Once thought to be one of four elements composing the universe (Empedocles)
Water
Liquid excretory product;
There was blood in his urine
The child had to make water
Water
A fluid necessary for the life of most animals and plants;
He asked for a drink of water
Water
Supply with water, as with channels or ditches or streams;
Water the fields
Water
Provide with water;
We watered the buffalo
Water
Secrete or form water, as tears or saliva;
My mouth watered at the prospect of a good dinner
His eyes watered
Water
Fill with tears;
His eyes were watering
Common Curiosities
What is water?
Water is a clear, tasteless, odorless, and nearly colorless chemical substance that is essential for all known forms of life.
How is lava formed?
Lava is formed when molten rock, generated by melting of the Earth's mantle, is expelled during a volcanic eruption.
Why is water important to the environment?
Water sustains ecosystems, contributes to the water cycle, and regulates climate.
How does water affect weather patterns?
Water in the atmosphere as vapor contributes to cloud formation and precipitation, impacting weather systems.
What role does water play in agriculture?
Water is crucial for irrigation, sustaining plant life and agriculture.
Can water exist in forms other than liquid?
Yes, water can also exist as solid ice and as water vapor in the atmosphere.
Can lava be stopped once it starts flowing?
Stopping lava flows is very difficult and usually not feasible; containment and diversion are sometimes possible.
What are the boiling and freezing points of water?
Water boils at 100°C and freezes at 0°C under standard atmospheric conditions.
What happens to lava after it cools down?
After cooling, lava solidifies to form igneous rock.
Is it possible to drink lava?
No, lava is molten rock and cannot be consumed.
How hot can lava get?
Lava temperatures can range from about 700°C to 1,200°C.
What type of rock does lava become?
Lava commonly becomes basalt or andesite, depending on its chemical composition.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
