Why is lava red?

Answer by  Mariana39 (440)

The color of lava depends on its temperature. It's orange when it's hottest, and it turns to red when it begins to cool off. The dark red shade which is sometimes called "lava" or "lava red" occurs when the temperature reaches about 1500 degrees Fahrenheit (800 degrees Celsius).

Answer by  RJaffe (5)

Lava is not red of itself, but merely looks that way due to the heat. The lava that seems to be red is in fact molten rock. When it cools down it becomes gray or black. It can be compared with the melting of iron.