Difference between viscous and non viscous lava?

Answer 1

Viscous lava is very sticky and thick and is more felsic (ie it contains more silica) than non-viscous lava. This type of lava makes for a very explosive volcano, because it's so sticky that it sticks to itself and can't exit the volcano until it explodes violently. Non-viscous lava is more runny and is more mafic (has more iron, less silica). Volcanoes with non-viscous lava are less explosive because the lava just runs out slowly and no pressure builds. The Hawaiian islands are formed from volcanoes with non-viscous lava.

Answer 2

Viscous lava is lava that is thick. For example a cinder cone or composite cone's lava is viscous. Because it cools faster than it moves, a composite cone has steeper flanks. On the other hand a shield volcano's lava is very low in silica, making it less viscous. Therefore A this lava flows off the flanks and makes this volcano a dome shape because the lava is able to spread to all parts of the volcano.

Answer 3

Viscous lava is thick and slow-moving, typically high in silica content, which causes it to cool and harden quickly. Non-viscous lava is runny and flows more easily, typically low in silica content, allowing it to travel further before solidifying. Viscous lava often results in explosive eruptions, while non-viscous lava typically produces gentler flows.

Answer 4

Viscosity varies from one lava to another lava and from one magma to another magma. Magma and lava could have the same viscosity, or be completely opposite on the viscosity spectrum.

Answer 5

The viscosity.