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An increase in the silica content of a lava increases it's viscosity.

Viscosity can be thought of as a fluids resistance during deformation to shear or tensile stress, or in more simple terms, how easy or difficult it is to make a fluid flow.

As viscosity increases, a fluid will flow less easily, so a lava with a high silica content will be more viscous and will flow less easily / more slowly than a low silica lava.

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How does lava that contains a greater amount of silica flow?

Lava that contains a greater amount of silica will flow slower and more sluggishly. The silica affects the viscosity of the lava making it thicker and therefore moving at a slower pace.


How fast dose lava flow?

it all depends on the silica content which makes high or low viscosity


What is the importance of a silica and oxygen in lava flow speed?

Silica and oxygen content in lava affects its viscosity, which in turn impacts flow speed. Lava with higher silica content tends to be more viscous and flows slower, while lava with lower silica content flows faster. The presence of oxygen also influences lava's ability to flow by affecting its gas content and pressure.


How does the silica content of lava impact its viscosity?

Silica content is directly proportional to viscosity, so the higher the silica content of a lava, the higher its viscosity. high viscosity means a lava will be thick and slow moving, hence probably meaning an explosive eruption. lava's with a high viscosity include rhyolite and andesite whereas lava's with a low viscosity (runny ones) include basalt.


Lava that is low in silica tends to?

Lava that is low in silica tends to have lighter rocks come out of it.


What is the behavior of lava with silica content being high and low?

Lava with high silica content tends to be more viscous and flow more slowly, leading to explosive eruptions. In contrast, lava with low silica content is less viscous and flows more easily, resulting in gentler, effusive eruptions.


What is the relationship between the viscosity of andesitic lava and its flow behavior during volcanic eruptions?

The viscosity of andesitic lava affects its flow behavior during volcanic eruptions. Higher viscosity lava flows more slowly and tends to form thicker, blockier lava flows, while lower viscosity lava flows more easily and can travel further before solidifying. This relationship influences the type and intensity of volcanic eruptions.


What affects the speed of lava flows?

The temperature and the silica content will both affect the viscosity of lave which will in turn affect the flow rate (whereby the lower the temperature and the higher the silica content, the higher the viscosity and the lower the flow rate).


What is the viscosity of lava flow from a cinder cone volcano?

The viscosity of lava flow from a cinder cone volcano is typically high, leading to slower-moving lava flows. This is due to the higher silica content of the lava, which increases its viscosity. As a result, cinder cone volcanoes often produce short, thick flows that can cool and solidify quickly.


What is the average silica content of a'a lava?

A'a lava has a generally low silica content. Having low silica content means that it also has a low viscosity level. Having a low viscosity level means that it flows easily.


Why does more silica make lava flow slow?

Silica-rich lava has higher viscosity, which means it is thicker and flows more slowly. The high silica content causes the lava to be more resistant to flow, leading to a slower movement. This can result in the formation of more explosive eruptions, like those seen with volcanoes such as Mount St. Helens.


Is lava with a high viscosity hotter than lava with a low viscosity?

Higher viscosity (felsic) lava is typically less hot than the lower viscosity (mafic) lava. Felsic magmas can erupt at temperatures as low as 650 to 750 °C. Poorer in aluminum and silica than felsic lavas, and also commonly hotter, intermediate lava (in the range of 750 to 950 °C), tends to be less viscous. Mafic to ultramafic lavas are believed to erupt up to 1600°C in the past.