Lava is a terrain resource found deep underground in Sandustry. It is a key input for both the gold chain (as the heat source for the Slag Burner) and the thermal/energy system (as a source of steam).
Where to find lava
Lava generates naturally in Lava Caves deep underground. You will not find it on the surface — you have to dig down to reach it.
How to move lava
Lava is a fluid, so hauling it by hand is slow and dangerous. The practical way to move it is to change its state first:
- Freeze it with a Cryoblaster. Frozen lava becomes cinder (some sources call the frozen form scoria), which is a solid you can transport safely.
- Re-ignite it where you need it. The cinder can be lit again once it is in position.
What lava is used for
- Burn slag — the Slag Burner uses lava's heat to roast slag into burnt slag (see the slag burner page).
- Make steam — adding water to lava evaporates it into steam, which feeds thermal processing and the Boiler.
Lava in the gold chain
Lava is the heat source upstream of the gold production line:
Lava (heat) → Slag Burner → Burnt Slag → Kinetic Slag Press → Gold + Seed
So while lava is not itself turned into gold, a reliable lava supply is what keeps the burn stage of the chain running.
See the boiler page for how lava's heat drives steam production.