Viscosity of Lunar Lavas

The viscosity of a synthetic silicate liquid with the composition of a lunar rock has been determined experimentally and found to be lower than that of any previously studied volcanic rock on earth. This fact suggests that lunar lava flows will be very thin and extensive unless they are ponded, and that lava tubes should be common and of larger dimensions than those on earth. Coarse crystallinity can be a feature of rapidly cooled surface lavas.