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Lava high in silica (granitic lava) tends to be thick and viscous, so the volcano is likely to be composite rather than shield.

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How does silica affect the shape of a volcano?

High silica content in magma can lead to explosive eruptions and the formation of steep-sided volcanoes, such as stratovolcanoes. This is because high silica magma is thicker and more viscous, which traps gases and builds up pressure before erupting violently. The high viscosity of silicic magma prevents it from easily flowing, resulting in the steep shape of the volcano.


A composite volcano is most likely to form where?

A composite volcano is most likely to form at subduction zones where an oceanic plate is being subducted beneath a continental plate. The interaction between the two plates causes magma to rise, leading to the formation of a composite volcano due to the explosive eruptions caused by the high silica content in the magma.


What the same about silica rich and silica poor magma?

Silica is a natural element found within the Earth's crust. There are several different types of it. Silica gets inside magma when a volcano forms. During the formation, the magma from deep inside the Earth pushes its way up to the surface. As it progresses upward, it passes through the continental crust, or layer of crust below Earth's continents. Silica is abundant in that area. While the magma is in the continental crust, even if only for a little while, it mixes with the silica. Some parts of the continental crust aren't quite as plentiful in silica as others. Depending on the amount of silica mixed with the magma, the magma can become 'silica-rich', or have sufficient amounts of silica. This lavish amount of silica in the magma makes the magma thick and pasty. Then, when the volcano goes to erupt, the magma gets stuck in the caldera, or crater hole in the top of the volcano, because of its thickness. Pressure builds up behind the plugged exit, as more gas and magma yearns to escape. Eventually, this pressure builds up SO much that the magma cork gives way, allowing all the gases and lava to burst out of the volcano in a GIGANTIC eruption. This is why an explosive eruption has so much smoke, from the gas build-up inside of the volcano. Quiet eruptions don't because there is no gas pressure to stop the thin magma from leaking out of the hot spot/volcano. In conclusion, silica creates a thick magma. This results in a plugged caldera. Gas pressure within the volcano then builds up because of the thick magma cork. When the cork gives way, a HUGE eruption results, releasing all the gases and smoke. Hope that this explanation helped!


What does low silica magma form?

Nealy all magma on Earth is originally low-silica, mafic magma. Most magma originates from the upper mantle, which is ultramafic, meaning it has a very low silica content. This rock may partially melt under certain conditions, forming mafic magma, which has a somewhat higher silica content than the mantle rock.


How does magma composition and the resulting eruption affect the form of a volcano?

If the composition of the magma is high in silica, the eruption will be explosive. The Eruption of Mt. St. Helens was an explosive eruption. If the composition of the magma is low in silica, it will produce a quiet eruption. The eruption(s) of Mt. Kilauea are quiet eruptions.

Related Questions

Suppose a volcano that is about to erupt contains mafic magma. The mafic magma has a very low silica content. what types of igneous rocks will the volcano most likely form?

basalt


What two properties of magma determine what kind of volcano will form?

The silica content and the gas content of magma are two properties that determine what kind of volcano will form. Magma with low silica content and low gas content tends to form effusive, shield volcanoes, while magma with high silica content and high gas content tends to form explosive, stratovolcanoes.


Is silica a type of gas in a volcano?

No. Silica, or silicon dioxide, is a component of magma and most rocks on earth. It is a solid under most conditions but will form part of the liquid melt of magma. Pure silica in mineral form is called quartz.


How does silica affect the shape of a volcano?

High silica content in magma can lead to explosive eruptions and the formation of steep-sided volcanoes, such as stratovolcanoes. This is because high silica magma is thicker and more viscous, which traps gases and builds up pressure before erupting violently. The high viscosity of silicic magma prevents it from easily flowing, resulting in the steep shape of the volcano.


A composite volcano is most likely to form where?

A composite volcano is most likely to form at subduction zones where an oceanic plate is being subducted beneath a continental plate. The interaction between the two plates causes magma to rise, leading to the formation of a composite volcano due to the explosive eruptions caused by the high silica content in the magma.


How does magma form a volcano?

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What the same about silica rich and silica poor magma?

Silica is a natural element found within the Earth's crust. There are several different types of it. Silica gets inside magma when a volcano forms. During the formation, the magma from deep inside the Earth pushes its way up to the surface. As it progresses upward, it passes through the continental crust, or layer of crust below Earth's continents. Silica is abundant in that area. While the magma is in the continental crust, even if only for a little while, it mixes with the silica. Some parts of the continental crust aren't quite as plentiful in silica as others. Depending on the amount of silica mixed with the magma, the magma can become 'silica-rich', or have sufficient amounts of silica. This lavish amount of silica in the magma makes the magma thick and pasty. Then, when the volcano goes to erupt, the magma gets stuck in the caldera, or crater hole in the top of the volcano, because of its thickness. Pressure builds up behind the plugged exit, as more gas and magma yearns to escape. Eventually, this pressure builds up SO much that the magma cork gives way, allowing all the gases and lava to burst out of the volcano in a GIGANTIC eruption. This is why an explosive eruption has so much smoke, from the gas build-up inside of the volcano. Quiet eruptions don't because there is no gas pressure to stop the thin magma from leaking out of the hot spot/volcano. In conclusion, silica creates a thick magma. This results in a plugged caldera. Gas pressure within the volcano then builds up because of the thick magma cork. When the cork gives way, a HUGE eruption results, releasing all the gases and smoke. Hope that this explanation helped!


What does low silica magma form?

Nealy all magma on Earth is originally low-silica, mafic magma. Most magma originates from the upper mantle, which is ultramafic, meaning it has a very low silica content. This rock may partially melt under certain conditions, forming mafic magma, which has a somewhat higher silica content than the mantle rock.


How does magma composition and the resulting eruption affect the form of a volcano?

If the composition of the magma is high in silica, the eruption will be explosive. The Eruption of Mt. St. Helens was an explosive eruption. If the composition of the magma is low in silica, it will produce a quiet eruption. The eruption(s) of Mt. Kilauea are quiet eruptions.


What type of volcano will form from a small volcano erupting with high amounts of silica?

penis


Why does high silica magma tend to form volcanic domes with steep sides?

because the volcano's vent gets plugged, gases cannot escape and pressure build up.


What happens to the lava in the volcano?

Technically, it is not lava until it pours out of the volcano. While it is in the volcano it is still magma. What is not ejected in the form of lava might sink and form a plug, allowing the magma to once again build up in the volcano's magma chamber.