An curved arrow pointing right. Adding relatively minor factors like crystals, water, ice, and metal can drastically affect how lava moves, cools, and creates formations. When lava meets water ...

In general, mineral particles are small, having formed within confined areas such as lava flows or between grains of sediments. Large crystals found in geodes and other rocks are relatively rare.

Ancient volcanoes in New South Wales created a rich deposit of precious rare earths – and left clues for finding more.

Video footage shows a geologist scooping molten lava into a bucket of water before it is taken away for testing. The lava has a thin crust on it that's caused by air cooling, so the geologist has ...