What do we call magma that reaches the Earth's surface?

When magma reaches the Earth's surface, it is referred to as lava. This transformation occurs during volcanic eruptions, when the molten rock, initially found beneath the Earth's crust, flows out onto the surface. Once it has erupted and cooled, this lava can solidify to form igneous rock, which includes various types such as basalt and pumice, depending on the composition and cooling process.

While igneous rock is a broader term for the type of rock formed from cooled magma or lava, basalt and pumice are specific kinds of igneous rocks that can form from lava that has cooled quickly or slowly, respectively. Understanding the process of how magma becomes lava is essential in geology, particularly in the study of volcanic activity and the formation of landforms.