The main cause of an explosive volcano is the amount of gases trapped in the magma. If the gases have had time to escape, there will be less pressure built up resulting in a less vicious magma explosion.
An increase in temperature, a decrease in silica content, and an increase in gas content can all cause magma to be less viscous. Lower viscosity magma flows more easily and erupts with less explosive force.
Yes. Felsic magma is very viscous.
The amount of viscosity present in magma depends on the amount of silica it has. A composite volcano produces rhyolitic lava which is very thick. A shield volcano produces a basaltic lava with less silica and significantly less viscosity.
Magma with low silica content is less viscous, allowing gas bubbles to escape more easily, reducing pressure buildup that leads to explosive eruptions. In contrast, high-silica magma is more viscous, trapping gas bubbles, which can lead to explosive eruptions when pressure is released suddenly.
The most viscous magma type is rhyolitic magma. Its high viscosity is primarily due to its high silica content, which can exceed 70%. This increased viscosity leads to more explosive volcanic eruptions, as gases are trapped within the magma, resulting in significant pressure buildup. In contrast, basaltic magma, which has a lower silica content, is much less viscous and tends to produce more fluid lava flows.
An increase in temperature, a decrease in silica content, and an increase in gas content can all cause magma to be less viscous. Lower viscosity magma flows more easily and erupts with less explosive force.
Yes. Felsic magma is very viscous.
The mineral that affects magma thickness is silica. Magma with high silica content tends to be more viscous, resulting in thicker magma. Conversely, magma with low silica content is less viscous and flows more easily.
That all depends on how viscous the magma (though out of the earth it's called lava) is. More viscous, the bigger and higher it gets. The less viscous, the less violent the explosion can and will be.
Highly viscous felsic magma causes the most violent volcanic eruptions.
The amount of viscosity present in magma depends on the amount of silica it has. A composite volcano produces rhyolitic lava which is very thick. A shield volcano produces a basaltic lava with less silica and significantly less viscosity.
Magma with low silica content is less viscous, allowing gas bubbles to escape more easily, reducing pressure buildup that leads to explosive eruptions. In contrast, high-silica magma is more viscous, trapping gas bubbles, which can lead to explosive eruptions when pressure is released suddenly.
The most viscous magma type is rhyolitic magma. Its high viscosity is primarily due to its high silica content, which can exceed 70%. This increased viscosity leads to more explosive volcanic eruptions, as gases are trapped within the magma, resulting in significant pressure buildup. In contrast, basaltic magma, which has a lower silica content, is much less viscous and tends to produce more fluid lava flows.
Higher viscous magma flows slower and with more difficulty compared to lower viscous magma. This is because higher viscous magma has a higher resistance to flow due to its thicker consistency, which can result in more explosive and violent eruptions.
Most viscous Felsic magma i.e. rhyolite Intermediate magma i.e. andersite Mafic magma i.e. Basalt Ultramafic magma i.e. Komatiite Least viscous
The silica content in magma significantly influences its viscosity; higher silica levels lead to more viscous magma, making it thicker and less fluid. Conversely, lower silica content results in a more fluid magma. Temperature also plays a crucial role; as temperature increases, magma becomes less viscous and more mobile. Together, these factors determine how easily magma can flow and erupt, influencing volcanic activity.
Mafic magma (low in silica content) typically causes quiet eruptions because it is less viscous and flows more easily, leading to gentle lava flows. These eruptions are characterized by low explosivity and can result in shield volcanoes or lava plateaus.