This topic contains a solution. Click here to go to the answer

Author Question: How does the type of volcanic eruption relate to gas content and magma viscosity? What will be an ... (Read 32 times)

fahad

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 570
How does the type of volcanic eruption relate to gas content and magma viscosity?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Explain why some lava flows cover large areas and others do not.
 
  What will be an ideal response?



Related Topics

Need homework help now?

Ask unlimited questions for free

Ask a Question
Marked as best answer by a Subject Expert

macybarnes

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 312
Answer to Question 1

Gas content and viscosity are both greater in higher-silica magma than in lower-silica magma. Release of dissolved gas from rising magma under decreasing pressure causes expansion of bubbles in the melt that explode to cause explosive eruptions. High viscosity inhibits the ability of bubbles to rise through the magma so that gas pressures tend to be greater in intermediate and felsic magmas than in less viscous (and less gas-rich) mafic magmas. High viscosity also favors the formation of thick but not far traveled lava flows and lava domes, whereas low viscosity favors the formation of thin and extensive lava flows. These roles of gas content and viscosity to determine eruption characteristics explain why intermediate and felsic magmas generally feed relatively explosive eruptions that produce abundant pyroclastic deposits and steep-sided volcanoes, such as composite volcanoes and dome complexes. Mafic magmas, in contrast, tend to erupt less explosively and form low-sloping shield volcanoes with widespread lava flows and very little pyroclastic material.

Answer to Question 2

One obvious reason is that the more lava that is erupted, the larger the area that it will cover. We also know that the area covered by lava relates to the viscosity of the lava flows. Low-viscosity lava flows (mafic) are able to flow more readily and cover large areas, whereas high-viscosity (felsic) lava flows are unable to move beyond the immediate vicinity of the volcanic crater.




fahad

  • Member
  • Posts: 570
Reply 2 on: Jul 16, 2018
YES! Correct, THANKS for helping me on my review


shailee

  • Member
  • Posts: 392
Reply 3 on: Yesterday
Gracias!

 

Did you know?

In 2010, opiate painkllers, such as morphine, OxyContin®, and Vicodin®, were tied to almost 60% of drug overdose deaths.

Did you know?

Aspirin may benefit 11 different cancers, including those of the colon, pancreas, lungs, prostate, breasts, and leukemia.

Did you know?

There can actually be a 25-hour time difference between certain locations in the world. The International Date Line passes between the islands of Samoa and American Samoa. It is not a straight line, but "zig-zags" around various island chains. Therefore, Samoa and nearby islands have one date, while American Samoa and nearby islands are one day behind. Daylight saving time is used in some islands, but not in others—further shifting the hours out of sync with natural time.

Did you know?

It is widely believed that giving a daily oral dose of aspirin to heart attack patients improves their chances of survival because the aspirin blocks the formation of new blood clots.

Did you know?

The longest a person has survived after a heart transplant is 24 years.

For a complete list of videos, visit our video library