Which type of lava typically produces smooth and glossy surface features?

Pahoehoe lava is known for its smooth and glossy surface features, which is a direct result of its fluid, low-viscosity nature. When pahoehoe lava flows, it moves easily across the ground, allowing the surface to cool quickly while maintaining a molten interior. As it cools, the outer layer solidifies into a thin crust that can become twisted or patterned, resembling rope-like textures. This smooth surface is characteristic of pahoehoe compared to other types of lava, which tend to be more jagged or clumpy in texture.

In contrast, aa lava produces a rough and jagged surface that is much less glossy due to its higher viscosity, which results in a more fragmented appearance as it cools. Lava tubes, while they can contain smooth features, are specifically structures created by fluid lava flowing underground rather than the texture of the lava itself. Volcanic ash consists of small particles ejected during an eruption and does not have a solid surface characteristic like that of lava flows. Thus, the smooth and glossy appearance is distinctly associated with pahoehoe lava.