Magma compared to water
Magma is a chunky liquid. As such, it acts like water in certain circumstances, but acts differently in others.
[edit] Similarities
* Magma fills a tile and has seven possible depths.
* Magma flows outward and downward to expand into clear space.
* Screw pumps work in magma.
* Floodgates and pressure platesVerify work in magma.
* Constructed walls of all kinds safely contain magma.
* Objects thrown into magma sink to the bottom.
[edit] Differences
* Magma is extremely hot, and capable of melting objects and constructions made of most materials (see Magma vs. Built Objects) and thus destroying them.
* Magma is never pressurizedVerify, it seeps out of holes slower than water and slow enough for any dwarves to outrun, unless they are the ones digging into it.
* Magma never flows up. Its level may rise only by dripping more magma from above, and new magma may only distribute itself by moving down or to the sides, but never up.
* Magma reacts violently with water, releasing steam and, depending on the amount of magma, leaving behind tiles of solid obsidian which can be mined, smoothed or engraved like any natural tile.
* Magma is not a water source. Dwarves can't drink it or supply it to their wounded.
You see? Magma cant be pressurized... too bad. would have looked forwarf to build explosive traps. Well, I will have to work with a magma shower then. Do i have to build the Pump completely out of steel and and the mechanics of bauxite so those machines work?