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The viscosity of magma or lava will determine whether or not the eruption is explosive or quiet. Higher viscosity magma can result in explosive eruptions. Lower viscosity magmas tend to flow more freely.

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Q: What does viscosity have to do with eruptions?
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How viscosity affect volcanic eruptions?

Viscosity is how thick the magma is and this can impact on how much a volcano erupts and how it flows.


Why do volcanic eruptions differ?

The main cause of differences in volcanic eruption characteristics is due to the viscosity of the magma. High viscosity magmas are high in sticky silica which traps gas and produces explosive eruptions. Low viscosity magmas are low in silica and produce eruptions with far less energetic characteristics.


Why do shield volcano have weak eruptions?

They feature magma with very low viscosity


What causes the most violent eruptions in volcanoes?

high viscosity in magma composition.


What determines the severity of volcanic eruptions?

The size of the magma chamber and the viscosity of the magma.


Magma that is low in silica and produces nonexplosive eruptions?

Low viscosity mafic magma.


What type of lava tends to lead to non-explosive eruptions?

Basic lava is low in viscosity.


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.


Why does granitic magma cause explosive eruptions?

Granitic magma is highly viscous (resists flow). This high viscosity results in the entrapment and buildup of gases which create explosive eruptions.


How would you describe lava with a high viscosity?

The highest viscosity lava is rhyolite. Rhyolitic lava tends to form dome-shaped volcanoes and tends to cause explosive eruptions.


A volcano with a magma supply which is felsic and has a high viscosity will tend to have what type of eruption?

A volcano fed by felsic magma will tend to have explosive eruptions.


What types of lava will most likely lead to a volcanic eruption of an effusive nature?

Shield volcanoes have effusive eruptions. Effusive eruptions are a volcanic phenomenon; in some ways the opposite of explosive eruptions. An effusive eruption is characterized by an outpouring of low viscosity lava which has a fairly low volatile content. Usually, shield volcanoes have effusive eruptions.