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Multiple Choice
After hot lava erupts from a volcano, what typically happens to it as it cools?
A
It turns into sedimentary rock immediately.
B
It dissolves in water to form a liquid solution.
C
It evaporates completely into the atmosphere.
D
It solidifies to form new igneous rock.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the context: Lava is molten rock that erupts from a volcano. It is in a liquid state due to the high temperatures inside the Earth's mantle.
Recognize the cooling process: When lava is exposed to the cooler temperatures of the Earth's surface, it begins to lose heat and solidify.
Identify the type of rock formed: As lava cools and solidifies, it forms igneous rock. This is a type of rock that originates from the cooling and crystallization of molten material.
Clarify why other options are incorrect: Sedimentary rock forms from the accumulation and compression of sediments, not from cooling lava. Lava does not dissolve in water to form a liquid solution, nor does it evaporate completely into the atmosphere.
Conclude the process: The correct answer is that lava solidifies to form new igneous rock, which is a fundamental part of the rock cycle in geology.