answersLogoWhite

0

Mafic magma is less viscous or more fluid than silicic magma in much the same way that water is less viscous than molasses. Mafic magma reaches the surface more often because it flows more easily.

User Avatar

Wiki User

10y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Natural Sciences

What eruption is worse mafic or silicic?

Silicic eruptions are generally considered more explosive and destructive than mafic eruptions due to the higher viscosity and volatile content of silicic magmas. Mafic eruptions are typically less explosive and produce lava flows rather than explosive ash clouds.


Is scoria mafic?

Mafic, infact it is often refered to as: "the mafic version of pumice"


What is a low-silica magma?

A low-silica magma has a lower concentration of silica oxide compared to high-silica magmas. This type of magma is typically associated with basaltic or mafic compositions, which have higher temperatures and lower viscosity, allowing for easier flow and the formation of shield volcanoes.


Why are xenoliths mafic minerals?

Xenoliths are often mafic minerals because they originate from the Earth's mantle, which is composed of mafic rocks such as basalt and gabbro. These minerals are more likely to survive the extreme conditions of volcanic eruptions, which is how xenoliths are transported to the Earth's surface. Additionally, mafic minerals have higher melting points compared to felsic minerals, making them more resistant to being melted and destroyed during volcanic processes.


What kind of magmas produce violent volcanic eruptions?

Magmas with high viscosity and gas content tend to produce violent volcanic eruptions. High viscosity magmas are thicker and have more difficulty releasing gas, leading to pressure build-up and explosive eruptions. This often occurs with felsic or rhyolitic magmas.

Related Questions

What eruption is worse mafic or silicic?

Silicic eruptions are generally considered more explosive and destructive than mafic eruptions due to the higher viscosity and volatile content of silicic magmas. Mafic eruptions are typically less explosive and produce lava flows rather than explosive ash clouds.


Is scoria mafic?

Mafic, infact it is often refered to as: "the mafic version of pumice"


Where can you find gabbro?

Gabbro is a group of dark, coarse-grained, intrusive mafic igneous rocks. They are often found beneath the Earth's surface where they form into crystals.


What is a low-silica magma?

A low-silica magma has a lower concentration of silica oxide compared to high-silica magmas. This type of magma is typically associated with basaltic or mafic compositions, which have higher temperatures and lower viscosity, allowing for easier flow and the formation of shield volcanoes.


Why are xenoliths mafic minerals?

Xenoliths are often mafic minerals because they originate from the Earth's mantle, which is composed of mafic rocks such as basalt and gabbro. These minerals are more likely to survive the extreme conditions of volcanic eruptions, which is how xenoliths are transported to the Earth's surface. Additionally, mafic minerals have higher melting points compared to felsic minerals, making them more resistant to being melted and destroyed during volcanic processes.


Why do granitic felsic magmas usually crystallize before reaching earth's surface?

Felsic magma is very viscous, so if often gets "stuck" in plutons rather than erupting.


What kind of magmas produce violent volcanic eruptions?

Magmas with high viscosity and gas content tend to produce violent volcanic eruptions. High viscosity magmas are thicker and have more difficulty releasing gas, leading to pressure build-up and explosive eruptions. This often occurs with felsic or rhyolitic magmas.


How are felsic magmas formed?

Heat from the mantle melts part of the lower crust


What is a type of mafic phaneritic rock?

Gabbro is a type of mafic phaneritic rock. It is composed mainly of pyroxene, plagioclase feldspar, and often contains minor amounts of amphibole, olivine, or biotite. Gabbro forms from the slow crystallization of mafic magma deep within the Earth's crust.


Is mafic magma explosive?

Not usually. Mafic magma usually has a low gas content than felsic or intermediate magma, so eruptions are often effusive. Cinder cones primarily erupt mafic lava with a low level of explosivity. Explosive eruptions can also occur if the magma comes in contact with groundwater.


What is lava with a wrinkled surface that forms when mafic lava hardens?

The lava with a wrinkled surface that forms when mafic lava hardens is called pahoehoe. It is characterized by smooth, undulating, or rope-like textures that result from the flow of lava as it cools and solidifies. Pahoehoe lava flows typically have a low viscosity, allowing the lava to move easily and form these distinctive features.


Plinian eruptions are the most powerful type of eruption They are usually caused by what kind of magma?

Plinian eruptions are caused by highly viscous magma with high eruptive column heights, explosive fragmentation of magma, and high gas content, often derived from silica-rich (silicic) magma. This type of magma tends to trap gases leading to highly explosive eruptions characteristic of Plinian events.