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Magma stored under volcanoes is mostly solid

Analysis of crystals found in lava suggests shift to molten goo occurs close to eruption

New Zealand volcano

UP AND OUT  Seven hundred years ago, a New Zealand volcano (a 19th century eruption is illustrated here) spewed out seven zircon crystals that are providing a peek at the state of magma in underground chambers.

Charles Blomfield 

By Maria Temming

- More than 2 years ago

Most of a volcano’s magma probably isn’t the oozing, red-hot molten goo often imagined.