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The difference in the flow of lava is determined by how viscous the magma of the volcano is. For Stratovolcanoes like those seen in the Cascades Range of the North Western United States, there magma is normally very sticky as it has a high concentration of Silica. The higher the concentration of silica within magma makes it stickier and will make it resist flow. This is why Stratovolcanoes often will erupt explosively, as there is no way for the gasses to simply passively leave during a lava flow. This viscosity traps the gasses and makes explosive eruptions much more likely as once the gasses finally are able to escape the level of gasses have built up to catastrophic levels within the volcano. On the other hand Hawaiian style volcanoes have a very low silica content within their magma chamber, and therefore have very flowable lava. This allows for the fire fountains and lava channels that are often times shown in magazines. These eruptions are often times passive in nature, as the gasses dissolved in the magma are easily able to escape during an eruption.

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Is runny lava found in continental or oceanic plates?

Runny lava is typically found in oceanic plates. Oceanic plates are denser than continental plates and tend to produce basaltic lava, which is more fluid and flows more easily compared to the thicker and more viscous lava produced by continental plates.


Difference between viscous and non viscous lava?

Viscous lava is very sticky and thick and is more felsic (ie it contains more silica) than non-viscous lava. This type of lava makes for a very explosive volcano, because it's so sticky that it sticks to itself and can't exit the volcano until it explodes violently. Non-viscous lava is more runny and is more mafic (has more iron, less silica). Volcanoes with non-viscous lava are less explosive because the lava just runs out slowly and no pressure builds. The Hawaiian islands are formed from volcanoes with non-viscous lava.


What type of lava does Lascar volcano have?

Lascar volcano typically erupts with dacitic lava, which has a higher silica content compared to other types of lava such as basaltic lava. Dacitic lava is more viscous and tends to flow more slowly, resulting in explosive eruptions characterized by ash clouds and pyroclastic flows.


How do you measure the viscosity of a liquid?

you can measure it by dropping a lead ball into the liquid while timing it with a stop watch if it is runny then it is more viscous and when it is thick and not runny it is less viscous.


Does rhyolite lava have high viscosity?

Yes. Rhyolitic lava is extremely viscous, thousands to hundreds of thousands times more viscous that basaltic lava.

Related Questions

Is runny lava found in continental or oceanic plates?

Runny lava is typically found in oceanic plates. Oceanic plates are denser than continental plates and tend to produce basaltic lava, which is more fluid and flows more easily compared to the thicker and more viscous lava produced by continental plates.


Difference between viscous and non viscous lava?

Viscous lava is very sticky and thick and is more felsic (ie it contains more silica) than non-viscous lava. This type of lava makes for a very explosive volcano, because it's so sticky that it sticks to itself and can't exit the volcano until it explodes violently. Non-viscous lava is more runny and is more mafic (has more iron, less silica). Volcanoes with non-viscous lava are less explosive because the lava just runs out slowly and no pressure builds. The Hawaiian islands are formed from volcanoes with non-viscous lava.


Define volatile and viscous?

Viscous means how thick a LIQUID is and how tightly the particles are packed together if the liquid is thick(less runny) it is more viscous if the liquid is thin(more runny) it is less viscous


What is meant by a viscous liquid?

Viscosity is a measure of the thickness or how runny a liquid is. More viscous means thicker and syrup-like. Less viscous means more runny and more like water.


What is the speed of moving lava?

Lava can reach supersonic speeds in some highly explosive volcanic eruptions. Lava speed is mostly dependent on the lava's viscosity, whether it's runny or sticky. Most runny lava flows are probably less than 10 miles per hour. The more viscous, the slower the flow, depending on slope and other conditions.


What type of lava does Lascar volcano have?

Lascar volcano typically erupts with dacitic lava, which has a higher silica content compared to other types of lava such as basaltic lava. Dacitic lava is more viscous and tends to flow more slowly, resulting in explosive eruptions characterized by ash clouds and pyroclastic flows.


How do you measure the viscosity of a liquid?

you can measure it by dropping a lead ball into the liquid while timing it with a stop watch if it is runny then it is more viscous and when it is thick and not runny it is less viscous.


Does rhyolite lava have high viscosity?

Yes. Rhyolitic lava is extremely viscous, thousands to hundreds of thousands times more viscous that basaltic lava.


What are the characteristics of viscous lava flows?

Viscous lava flows are typically thicker and move more slowly than less viscous lava flows. They have a higher silica content, which makes them more resistant to flow. Viscous lava flows tend to form steep-sided volcanoes and are associated with explosive eruptions.


Which is more viscous honey tar water or lava?

From thickest to thinnest: lava, tar, honey, then water.


Temperature differences between acidic and basaltic lava?

Acid lava comes from composite cone volcanoes, is slow moving and viscous. Basic lava comes from shield volcanoes, is runny and flows faster. Acidic lava is felsic, or high in quartz and potassium feldspars. Basic lava is mafic, and higher in plagioclase feldspar.


Is composite volcano lava viscous or fluid?

Composite volcanoes typically erupt with lava that is more viscous, meaning it is thicker and flows more slowly compared to lava from shield volcanoes. This viscosity can lead to more explosive eruptions as gas bubbles are trapped in the magma, causing pressure to build up until it is released in a violent eruption.