Hot molten rock under the surface of the earth is called _____.

Hot molten rock that exists beneath the Earth's surface is referred to as magma. This term specifically describes the molten rock prior to its eruption onto the surface, where it can then be termed lava. Understanding the context is essential in geology; magma contains not only molten rock but also gases and minerals, and it forms beneath the Earth's crust in magma chambers. When magma rises and erupts, it becomes lava, which is why the distinction between the two terms is important.

Granite and basalt are types of igneous rock that form when magma cools and solidifies, but they are not the molten material itself. Therefore, when discussing the state of rock material at high temperatures beneath the Earth's surface, magma is the accurate and scientifically accepted term.