This Image depicts lava flowing out from beneath a bank of previously solidified lava. As the new lava touches air for the first time, it begins to cool rapidly which creates a crust on the outer layer. Depending how long ago the crust was formed, the crust color ranges from a bright orange to a shiny silver color. Gravity is what drives this flow and temperature is what gives it such vibrant colors. I selected this image because the combination of colors really caught my eye, but I was also very impressed at the art that nature had made without any sort of human interaction. I think it is truly incredible that material from deep within the earth can be spasmodically exuded to form these ever changing and always glowing sculptures.
Photo Credit: Hawaiian Volcano Observatory as part of the USGS
https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/multimedia_uploads/multimediaFile-1840.jpg
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1st Prize – I love how lava is a liquid but when it is exposed to cool air it causes the lava to solidify only on the top layer.
Third Place. This image shows a highly viscous flow without any need for a third party flow viz method. Most of the other flows were not very viscous so this is a good change of pace.
First Place. I give this first place because I love the visual irony of the fluid metal. Everyone always associates metal with being a solid, but this picture captures the beautiful flow of something so powerful and visually solid.
First Prize: I believe the photo is incredible and the formation is very interesting as fluid and solid layers form together. I also like your detailed description and explanation of the colors and perspective on art in nature
Third Prize: When I think of a fluid I typically don’t think of lava, but there the metallic colors and line of motion provided by this viscous fluid is interesting and fun to look at.