Lava


 * See also: Guide:Making Liquid

Lava is a glowing orange liquid found in the deep Cavern and The Underworld. The depth at which Water is replaced with Lava varies depending on world size, being found at about 1000 feet down on a small world and 2000 on a large one.

Properties
Lava is a liquid, and - if no blocks stop it - will flow downwards and horizontally. It may be pumped or moved by a bucket. Blocks cannot be placed in lava and any blocks, such as sand, which fall into lava will co-occupy the lava's space. When the co-occupying block is removed the lava will remain. Flying monsters will not enter liquids such as lava.

Contact with lava deals 80 damage per hit and lights the player on fire. Armor can reduce the damage from lava. Water Walking Potion works on lava and walking on top of lava does not count as being in contact with the lava (unless the surface is uneven). Monsters, excluding Underworld enemies and those that travel through walls, take 50 damage per hit from lava and are also lit on fire. Causing damage to monsters and other players with placed lava can be considered a form of attack or trap. Players under the effects of an Obsidian Skin Potion are immune to lava damage. Contact with lava will dislodge many placed items such as doors and torches. Obsidian blocks spawn when lava and water come into contact (but not when dumping a bucket of water directly onto lava or in the presence of a tombstone). This process removes some lava and water.

Submersion causes the player's breath meter to be displayed and begin to deplete. Items such as Flippers allow the player to swim in lava, but will not prevent lava damage. Neptune's Shell does not affect the player in Lava and will not turn one into a Merfolk. Many items submerged past their mid point vertically in lava will be destroyed. Items which will not be destroyed include: items with a blue or higher rarity, as well as Hellstone, Obsidian, Fireblossom and Fireblossom Seeds.

Hellstone generates lava when mined in the Underworld.

Trivia

 * In the real world, lava is molten rock, but the term is usually applied only when it is expelled above ground as the result of a volcanic eruption. Lava, as found in Terraria, would typically be termed magma instead.