Question

The nature of a volcanic eruption is determined largely by all but which of the following characteristics of a magma?

a) Silica content
b) Temperature
c) Viscosity
d) Water (gas) content

Answer 1

The nature of a volcanic eruption is largely determined by the silica content, temperature, viscosity, and water (gas) content of magma.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nature of a volcanic eruption is largely determined by the following characteristics of magma:

1. Silica content: Silica content in magma determines its viscosity. High silica content leads to high viscosity, resulting in explosive eruptions, while low silica content leads to low viscosity, resulting in non-explosive eruptions.
2. Temperature: Higher temperature magma tends to have lower viscosity, which can result in more fluid lava flows and less explosive eruptions.
3. Viscosity: Viscosity is a measure of how easily a fluid flows. Magma with high viscosity is thick and sticky, causing it to plug volcanic vents and result in explosive eruptions. Magma with low viscosity is more fluid and flows more easily, resulting in non-explosive eruptions.
4. Water (gas) content: The presence of water (gas) in magma can significantly affect its eruptive behavior. Magma with high water content tends to have lower viscosity and can lead to explosive eruptions.