Scalding-hot lava

Lava Tides are a hazard where the lava level periodically rises and falls, introduced in Super Metroid.

Description
Lava Tides only occur with the superheated variant of lava, which damages even the Gravity Suit. The lava alternates between rising and subsiding at a steady rate. The difference between the highest and lowest points of the Lava Tides varies between rooms. In some rooms, the difference is minimal; in certain other rooms, the lava may rise high enough to submerge lower platforms, reducing the amount of safe ground where Samus Aran can stand. Therefore, Samus may need to wait for the Lava Tides to subside before she can progress through a room.

Lava Tides are mostly found in Norfair and Ridley's Hideout, where the superheated lava is common. Lava Tides can also be found in Crateria, including a section of the old Tourian ruins. Interestingly, the Craterian rooms containing Lava Tides all feature at least some metallic architecture, which may suggest that these Lava Tides might not be natural in origin.

Notable rooms containing Lava Tides include "The Gauntlet", Crocomire's chamber, the lava room, and Ridley's chamber.

Similar hazards
There are several rooms in Super Metroid, including the Lava Lake, where an earthquake occurs and causes lava to flood the room. However, once the lava has risen, it stays at a consistent level. In certain rooms, such as the Zebesian Command Center, a second earthquake may cause the lava to drain. This is also seen in the Crater Interior in Metroid: Other M, in the buildup and aftermath of the Goyagma boss fight.

In Area 6 of Metroid II: Return of Samus and Metroid: Samus Returns, killing the first Metroid in the area will cause the purple liquid to rise, partially flooding the main tunnel. Killing the second Metroid, an Omega Metroid, causes the purple liquid to drain and open up the next area as usual.

In Metroid: Zero Mission, the Acid Worm can cause the acid in its chamber to rise and fall as one of its attacks. Damage can be completely negated by obtaining the Varia Suit early.

Super Smash Bros.
The Norfair stage, introduced in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, features Lava Tides as one of its stage hazards. At random intervals, the level of lava will rise and fall. When the lava rises, it covers the lower blast zone, potentially saving fighters from falling off the stage. However, it also can cover up to three of the lower platforms, significantly reducing the amount of safe ground for fighters to stand on.

Rising/falling deadly liquid is a recurring Metroid stage hazard in the Super Smash Bros. series, even before the inclusion of Lava Tides in Norfair. The acid in Planet Zebes and Planet Zebes: Brinstar functions the same way as the lava in Norfair. The official Super Smash Bros. website even referred to the Planet Zebes acid as lava, which would have made the reference to Super Metroid 's Lava Tides even clearer.

Super Metroid Nintendo Player's Guide

 * AVOID THE LAVA TIDES (pg. 35)
 * "It would be easy enough to just Bomb through them, but there is scalding-hot lava to contend with. Use repeated Space Jumps to avoid the lava until it subsides."

Smash Bros. DOJO!!
"As you can imagine, the lava level will indeed rise and cover the platforms. It's dangerous to touch it."

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Tips

 * Norfair : Magma
 * "The magma that rises on this stage will gradually cover all but the topmost platforms. Seriously, the floor is lava."

Trivia

 * Lava Tides are present in the Screw Attack's chamber and the Metroid capsule's chamber. However, Samus cannot reach the lava in these rooms (even at its highest level) during normal gameplay, making it purely aesthetic.