io's volcanism has led to the formation of hundreds of volcanic centres and extensive lava formations, making it the most volcanically active body in the solar system. three different types of volcanic eruptions have been identified, differing in duration, intensity, lava effusion rate, and whether the eruption occurs within a volcanic pit (known as a "patera"). lava flows on io, tens or hundreds of kilometres long, have primarily basaltic composition, similar to lavas seen on earth at shield volcanoes such as kīlauea in hawaii. although most of the lava on io is made of basalt, a few lava flows consisting of sulfur and sulfur dioxide have been seen. in addition, eruption temperatures as high as were detected, which can be explained by the eruption of high-temperature ultramafic silicate lavas.