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When magma is seen on the ground, it is called lava. This picture shows lava coming out of a volcano in Hawaii.

Magma is the melted rock under the ground. The liquid rock may have solid bits mixed in with it, and volcanic gas.

There are different types of magma. One is called felsic magma. Felsic magma is thick and has silica minerals. It mostly makes light-coloured rocks. Another type is called mafic magma, which is runny and has less silica. It usually makes dark-coloured rocks. Magmas can be intermediate between both types.