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Yes, the more numerous and larger the crystals are, the more viscous the lava is: it does not, however, have a very dramatic effect.
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What affects the speed of lava flows?
The temperature and the silica content will both affect the viscosity of lave which will in turn affect the flow rate (whereby the lower the temperature and the higher the silica content, the higher the viscosity and the lower the flow rate).
How does the viscosity affect of lava affect its flow rate?
Viscosity means how runny it is. Thus a lava with low viscosity will erupt fast and form long, wide spreading lava flows (eg Hawaii) and lavas of high viscosity will erupt slowly and form lava domes (eg Mt. St. Helens).
What is the behavior of lava with silica content being high and low?
Lava with high silica content will erupt explosively, if it has low silica content it will flow.
What is the relationship with silica viscosity and lava flow?
An increase in the silica content of a lava increases it's viscosity. Viscosity can be thought of as a fluids resistance during deformation to shear or tensile stress, or in more simple terms, how easy or difficult it is to make a fluid flow. As viscosity increases, a fluid will flow less easily, so a lava with a high silica content will be more viscous and will flow less easily / more slowly than a low silica lava.
Is the lava from Mount Rainier high or low vicosity?
Mt. Rainer's lava flows have high viscosity. They are very thick, not dense, have low water content, and high gas content
How does the silica content of lava impact its viscosity?
Silica content is directly proportional to viscosity, so the higher the silica content of a lava, the higher its viscosity. high viscosity means a lava will be thick and slow moving, hence probably meaning an explosive eruption. lava's with a high viscosity include rhyolite and andesite whereas lava's with a low viscosity (runny ones) include basalt.
What affects the speed of lava flows?
The temperature and the silica content will both affect the viscosity of lave which will in turn affect the flow rate (whereby the lower the temperature and the higher the silica content, the higher the viscosity and the lower the flow rate).
What is the average silica content of a'a lava?
A'a lava has a generally low silica content. Having low silica content means that it also has a low viscosity level. Having a low viscosity level means that it flows easily.
How does the viscosity affect of lava affect its flow rate?
Viscosity means how runny it is. Thus a lava with low viscosity will erupt fast and form long, wide spreading lava flows (eg Hawaii) and lavas of high viscosity will erupt slowly and form lava domes (eg Mt. St. Helens).
What is the behavior of lava with silica content being high and low?
Lava with high silica content will erupt explosively, if it has low silica content it will flow.
What is the relationship with silica viscosity and lava flow?
An increase in the silica content of a lava increases it's viscosity. Viscosity can be thought of as a fluids resistance during deformation to shear or tensile stress, or in more simple terms, how easy or difficult it is to make a fluid flow. As viscosity increases, a fluid will flow less easily, so a lava with a high silica content will be more viscous and will flow less easily / more slowly than a low silica lava.
What factors control the viscosity of magma and lava?
The three factors that control the viscosity of lava are temperature, composition and dissolved gases. When the temperature is hotter, there will be less viscous. When the composition has a higher silica content, there will be higher viscosity and a lower silica content means a lower viscosity. The gases will expand within the lava as it nears the surface of the Earth because of decreasing pressure.
Is the lava from Mount Rainier high or low vicosity?
Mt. Rainer's lava flows have high viscosity. They are very thick, not dense, have low water content, and high gas content
How fast dose lava flow?
it all depends on the silica content which makes high or low viscosity
What is lava called with high viscosity?
Lava with high viscosity is called slica-rich lava
How would viscosity of the lava affect the size of the crystals that forms in the rock as it cools?
If the lava has cooled fast, the Cristal's will be smaller. If the lava cooled slowly, the crystals will be big
Does felsic lava create violent or quiet eruptions?
Felsic lava, due to its high viscosity and generally high gas content tends to produce violent eruptions.
