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Why do mafic magmas tend to reach the surface much more often than silicic magmas?
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
Mafic magma is less viscous or more fluid than silicic magma in much the same way that water is less viscous than molasses. Mafic magma reaches the surface more often because it flows more easily.
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
Wiki User
∙ 7y agoThe lower concentration of silica in mafic magma compared with felsic magma means that fewer silicon-oxygen tetrahedra will link with one another. The bonding together of these tetrahedra inhibits flow.
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What eruption is worse mafic or silicic?
Eruptions involcing silicic or felsic magma are generally the worst. Eruptions of mafic material are usually effusive or only mildly explosive, producing cinders or lava flows. Eruptions of felsic material often produce large ash clouds and deadly pyroclastic flows.
Is scoria mafic?
Mafic, infact it is often refered to as: "the mafic version of pumice"
What is lava with a wrinkled surface that forms when mafic lava hardens?
The wrinkled lava, often described as having a "ropey" appearance, is known as pahoe-hoe. It is very common in active Hawaiian volcanoes.
Is mafic magma explosive?
Not usually. Mafic magma usually has a low gas content than felsic or intermediate magma, so eruptions are often effusive. Cinder cones primarily erupt mafic lava with a low level of explosivity. Explosive eruptions can also occur if the magma comes in contact with groundwater.
Why are eruptions of mafic magma rather quiet?
The explosive force of violent eruptions is driven by gas trapped in the magma under pressure. Mafic magma often has a relatively low gas content and so usually erupts in a non-explosive or mildly explosive.
What eruption is worse mafic or silicic?
Eruptions involcing silicic or felsic magma are generally the worst. Eruptions of mafic material are usually effusive or only mildly explosive, producing cinders or lava flows. Eruptions of felsic material often produce large ash clouds and deadly pyroclastic flows.
Is scoria mafic?
Mafic, infact it is often refered to as: "the mafic version of pumice"
Where can you find gabbro?
Gabbro is a group of dark, coarse-grained, intrusive mafic igneous rocks. They are often found beneath the Earth's surface where they form into crystals.
Why do granitic felsic magmas usually crystallize before reaching earth's surface?
Felsic magma is very viscous, so if often gets "stuck" in plutons rather than erupting.
What is lava with a wrinkled surface that forms when mafic lava hardens?
The wrinkled lava, often described as having a "ropey" appearance, is known as pahoe-hoe. It is very common in active Hawaiian volcanoes.
Is mafic magma explosive?
Not usually. Mafic magma usually has a low gas content than felsic or intermediate magma, so eruptions are often effusive. Cinder cones primarily erupt mafic lava with a low level of explosivity. Explosive eruptions can also occur if the magma comes in contact with groundwater.
Why are eruptions of mafic magma rather quiet?
The explosive force of violent eruptions is driven by gas trapped in the magma under pressure. Mafic magma often has a relatively low gas content and so usually erupts in a non-explosive or mildly explosive.
Is mauna loa mafic or felsic?
The 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens produced dacite, which has an intermediate-felsic composition.
Where is the mineral emerald produced?
Emerald, a variety of the mineral beryl, is found most often in granite pegmatites, the last portions of underground slow cooling magmas to solidify.
What are dark colored often extrusive igneous rocks containing iron magnesium or calcium?
They are referred to as mafic, a word representing their magnesium and iron content.
Is Pyroclastic rock basic or acid?
Pyroclastic material is more often felsic (acidic) or intermediate, but mafic (basic) pyroclastic material may also occur.
What is a low-silica magma?
A magma containing not much silica (= SiO2). For example: a basaltic magma. These magma's have a low viscosity since the lower the SiO2-content, the lower the viscosity; and hence flow easily (↔ a felsic magma).
