It determines high silica or low silica. It will determine if it is sticky or not, or if it flows fast or slow.
*high in silica~Sticky, and slow. Will not flow easily.
*low in silica~Fact, not sticky. Will flow easily.
The silica content will vary from one volcano to the next and will even vary over time for a single volcano. On average, though, composite volcanoes erupt intermediate rocks that are 52-63% silica.
Igneous rocks come in a variety of colors. However the main colors are white, black, gray, greenand pink.
basalt
volcanic rocks
The terms intrusive and extrusive apply to the formation of igneous rocks. Silica is a chemical component of a wide variety of minerals found in many types of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rock. All igneous rocks, both intrusive and extrusive, contain silica.
Igneous rocks typically contain high levels of silica, with compositions ranging from about 45% to over 70% silica. This silica content influences the overall properties of igneous rocks, such as their color, density, and volcanic activity. Rocks with higher silica content are generally lighter in color and less dense, while those with lower silica content are darker and denser.
Igneous rocks are classified using the IUGS classification system, which compares the total alkali (K2O + Na2O wt%) to the total Silica (SiO2 wt%) content.
Silica content in rocks can affect their color by influencing the presence of other minerals. Rocks with high silica content tend to be lighter in color, such as white or light gray, due to the presence of quartz. On the other hand, rocks with lower silica content may have darker colors due to the presence of minerals like iron oxides that give them a darker hue.
Silica content significantly influences the viscosity and color of igneous rocks. Higher silica content typically leads to increased viscosity, resulting in more explosive volcanic eruptions and the formation of thicker lava flows. In terms of color, rocks with high silica content, such as rhyolite, tend to be lighter in color (often pale or pink), while those with lower silica content, like basalt, are usually darker (black or gray). This relationship is due to the mineral compositions associated with varying silica levels.
Silica content increases from mafic to felsic, and Mg and Fe content decreases. These differences affect things such as viscosity, density and colour. Felsic magmas are the most viscous and least dense, and felsic rocks are the lightest in colour.
greater proportion of silica
Basalt has the lowest silica content among common igneous rocks, with silica accounting for around 45-52% of its composition. This low silica content gives basalt its characteristic dark color and rapid cooling properties.
The opposite of basaltic is rhyolitic. Basaltic rocks are formed from lava that is low in silica content, while rhyolitic rocks are formed from lava that is high in silica content.
Mafic igneous compositions have the lowest silica content, followed by ultramafic compositions. Mafic rocks are rich in magnesium and iron and have silica contents ranging from 45-52%. Ultramafic rocks have even lower silica content, typically below 45%.
Silica content affects the viscosity of igneous rocks because higher silica content leads to higher viscosity, making the magma more resistant to flow. Rocks with higher silica content tend to form more explosive volcanic eruptions due to the build-up of gas pressure. Lower silica content leads to lower viscosity, allowing the magma to flow more easily and potentially forming more gentle eruptions.
Igneous rocks with high amounts of silica are classified as felsic rocks. Common examples include granite and rhyolite. These rocks typically have a lighter color and are less dense than mafic rocks, which have lower silica content. The high silica content contributes to their viscosity during magma formation and eruption.
The dark color indicating low silica content is typically referred to as "mafic." Mafic rocks, which are rich in magnesium and iron, have lower silica content compared to felsic rocks, resulting in darker colors. Common examples of mafic rocks include basalt and gabbro.