Is basaltic magma viscous? | ContextResponse.com
Ava Hall
Updated on May 13, 2026
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Herein, what is basaltic magma?
Basaltic lava, or mafic lava, is molten rock enriched in iron and magnesium and depleted in silica. Basaltic magmas are formed by exceeding the melting point of the mantle either by adding heat, changing its composition, or decreasing its pressure. Underwater, basaltic lavas are erupted as pillow basalts.
what are the three types of magma? There are three basic types of magma: basaltic, andesitic, and rhyolitic, each of which has a different mineral composition. All types of magma have a significant percentage of silicon dioxide. Basaltic magma is high in iron, magnesium, and calcium but low in potassium and sodium.
Similarly, it is asked, what volcanoes have basaltic magma?
Basaltic magma is commonly produced by direct melting of the Earth's mantle, the region of the Earth below the outer crust. On continents, the mantle begins at depths of 30 to 50 km. Shield volcanoes, such as those that make up the Islands of Hawai'i, are composed almost entirely of basalt.
What is magma viscosity controlled by?
Magmas that have a high silica content will therefore exhibit greater degrees of polymerization, and have higher viscosities, than those with low-silica contents. The amount of dissolved gases in the magma can also affect it's viscosity, but in a more ambiguous way than temperature and silica content.
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