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The explosive force of violent eruptions is driven by gas trapped in the magma under pressure. Mafic magma often has a relatively low gas content and so usually erupts in a non-explosive or mildly explosive.

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Which type of magma causes quiet volcanoes?

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.


Why are eruption of mafic magma are quiet while eruption of Felsic magma are explosive?

Mafic magma, which is low in silica content, has a lower viscosity, allowing gases to escape easily during an eruption, resulting in quiet flows. In contrast, felsic magma is high in silica, making it more viscous and trapping gases within. When pressure builds up in felsic magma, it can lead to explosive eruptions as the trapped gases are released violently. This fundamental difference in composition and viscosity accounts for the contrasting eruption styles.


What type of magma causes quiet eruption?

Magma with low viscosity, such as basaltic magma, typically causes quiet eruptions. This type of magma flows easily and allows gases to escape, resulting in relatively gentle eruptions with less explosive activity.


What does viscosity have to do with eruptions?

The viscosity of magma or lava will determine whether or not the eruption is explosive or quiet. Higher viscosity magma can result in explosive eruptions. Lower viscosity magmas tend to flow more freely.


Is a shield volcano quiet or loud?

Shield volcanoes are typically quiet volcanoes, known for their gentle eruptions with slow-moving lava flows. These eruptions are often non-explosive compared to other types of volcanoes, such as stratovolcanoes.

Related Questions

What do quiet lava eruptions generally result from?

Volcanic eruptions are always caused by magma. This applies if the eruption is quiet or explosive, or whether the magma is felsic or mafic.


Does thin magma cause explosive eruptions?

No, quiet eruptions.


Which type of magma causes quiet volcanoes?

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.


Why are eruption of mafic magma are quiet while eruption of Felsic magma are explosive?

Mafic magma, which is low in silica content, has a lower viscosity, allowing gases to escape easily during an eruption, resulting in quiet flows. In contrast, felsic magma is high in silica, making it more viscous and trapping gases within. When pressure builds up in felsic magma, it can lead to explosive eruptions as the trapped gases are released violently. This fundamental difference in composition and viscosity accounts for the contrasting eruption styles.


Which magma type resulted in a quiet eruptions?

That would normally be magma with a low silica content.


What type of magma causes quiet eruption?

Magma with low viscosity, such as basaltic magma, typically causes quiet eruptions. This type of magma flows easily and allows gases to escape, resulting in relatively gentle eruptions with less explosive activity.


What does viscosity have to do with eruptions?

The viscosity of magma or lava will determine whether or not the eruption is explosive or quiet. Higher viscosity magma can result in explosive eruptions. Lower viscosity magmas tend to flow more freely.


What causes the difference between quiet and exploses eruptions?

It depends on how much silica is in the magma. If there is low-silica in the magma then the volcano will erupt quietly. If there is high-silica in the magma then the volcano will erupt explosively.


Is a shield volcano quiet or loud?

Shield volcanoes are typically quiet volcanoes, known for their gentle eruptions with slow-moving lava flows. These eruptions are often non-explosive compared to other types of volcanoes, such as stratovolcanoes.


Does Hawaii experience effusive or explosive eruptions?

Occasionally, yes. Most of Kilauea's eruptions are effusive, however.


How can the composition of magma affect the way volcano erupts?

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.


Two factors control whether an eruption will be explosive or quiet?

The composition of the magma and the presence of trapped gases are two key factors that determine whether a volcanic eruption will be explosive or quiet. A high gas content and viscous magma can lead to explosive eruptions, while eruptions with low gas content and more fluid magma tend to be quieter.