Ask Difference

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.
Water vs. Lava — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Water and Lava

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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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Author Spotlight

Written by
Urooj Arif
Urooj 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.
Tayyaba 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.

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