Talk:Earthbending/@comment-99.240.12.41-20100908183723/@comment-98.237.106.239-20100909181203

lava is technically hot rock. so it would make sense that earthbenders could bend it. but it is on fire so it would also make sense that firebenders could bend it. i think it's more of a half and half kinda thing. like when Toph and Katara were wrestling in mud. they could both bend it. and when Katara and Aang bended (bended? bent? i dunno) the clouds in "the fortune teller."

as far as airbenders creating steam, your guess is as good as mine lol! maybe they'll answer some more of these questions in Legend of Korra. :)