Lava_coil
A lava coil is a spiral or scroll-shaped lava formation occurring when relatively low viscosity lava such as Pahoehoe solidifies along a slow-moving shear zone in the flow. The shear produces a Kelvin–Helmholtz instability that forms spiral-shaped patterns. Depending on the side of the flow the spiral is clockwise or anti-clockwise. They have been observed on flows near Kilauea on Hawai'i,[1] in Kenya[2] and possibly on Mars.[3]
- Surface of December 31, 1974 pahoehoe northeast of Pu‘u Koa ́e, Hawaii. Lava coil is 10 m diameter.
- Spirals interpreted to be lava coils[3] on the surface of a Martian lava lake in Cerberus Palus. Field of view is about 500 m.