How do basaltic rhyolitic and andesitic magmas differ?

Answer 1

They differ in composition, which affects some of their properties.

Basaltic magma is low in silica and rich in iron and magnesium. It is denser, more fluid, and hotter than most other types of magma. Because of its generally low gas content, volcanic eruptions involving it are typically non-explosive or only mildly explosive, often resulting in rivers of red hot lava.

Rhyolitic magma is high in silica and rich in sodium and potassium. It is less dense, more viscous, and cooler than most other types of magma. It usually has a very high gas content, meaning that most eruptions involving it will be highly explosive. Most supervolcanoes are fed by rhyolitic magma.

Andesitic magma is in between basaltic and rhyolitic magma, with a moderate amount of silica. It has an intermediate density, cooling point, and viscosity compared with other types of magma. Eruptions involving it are often explosive, but not catastrophically violent.

Answer 2

The difference between basalt lava and andesite lava is the chemical composition. Basalt lava comes from deep in the mantle of the Earth. Andesite's come from shallow sources near the continental plate margin.

Answer 3

Basaltic, Granitic, and Andesitic are the three basic compositional types of magma, molten rock beneath Earth's surface.

Basaltic magma is a form of what is called mafic magma, meaning it is lower in silica and high in iron and magnesium. This is the hottest, densest, and most fluid magma of the three main classifications. Its low viscosity means it erupts easily. Its low viscosity and red glow give the classic image of lava. It is often involved in non-explosive or mildly explosive volcanic eruptions.

Granitic or rhyolitic magma is a form of felsic magma, meaning it is rich in feldspar and silica and contains abundant sodium and potassium. It is cooler and less dense than basaltic magma and extremely viscous. It typically has a high gas content, making volcanic most eruptions involving it highly explosive.

Andesitic magma is a form of intermediate magma, with properties in between felsic and mafic magma. It has a moderate density and melting temperature compared with other magmas. it is very viscous, though not as much as rhyolitic magma. It is often involved in moderately explosive volcanic eruptions.

Answer 4

Andesitic lava is a kind of lava, referring to lava that forms andesite when it cools. It rated as intermediate on a scale of igneous compositions At one end are mafic lavas, which are poor in silica (giving them low viscosity) and contain significant amounts of iron, magnesium, and calcium to felsic and cool to form basalt. At the other end are felsic lavas, which are rich in silica (giving them very high viscosity) and contain significant amounts of sodium, potassium, and aluminum and cool to form rhyolite. Andesitic lava, due to its high viscosity does not look like the traditional concept of lava, which is based on the appearance of mafic lava.

Answer 5

Basaltic magma is low in silica content, resulting in low viscosity and fluid-like texture, commonly found at divergent plate boundaries. Rhyolitic magma is high in silica content, making it more viscous and sticky, often associated with explosive volcanic eruptions. Andesitic magma has an intermediate silica content and viscosity, typically found at convergent plate boundaries.

Answer 6

Andesitic magma has higher viscosity, is cooler, and has higher gas content than basaltic magma.