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Why is a volcano fed by highly viscous magma likely to be a greater threat to life and property than a volcano supplied with very fluid magma?

a) Highly viscous magma tends to flow quickly and is less explosive, reducing the threat to life and property.
b) Highly viscous magma traps gas, leading to explosive eruptions that pose a greater threat to life and property.
c) Volcanoes with fluid magma are more unpredictable, making them a greater threat to life and property.
d) Magma viscosity has no significant impact on the threat posed by a volcano

User Jamseernj
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Final answer:

A volcano fed by highly viscous magma is a greater threat to life and property than a volcano supplied with very fluid magma due to the tendency of highly viscous magma to trap gas and cause explosive eruptions.

Step-by-step explanation:

A volcano fed by highly viscous magma is likely to be a greater threat to life and property than a volcano supplied with very fluid magma because highly viscous magma tends to trap gas, leading to explosive eruptions that pose a greater threat.

The high viscosity of the magma prevents the gas from escaping easily, resulting in pressure build-up and explosive eruptions.

On the other hand, volcanoes with very fluid magma have lower viscosity, allowing gas to escape more easily, reducing the explosiveness of the eruptions and the threat to life and property.

User Andrew Edgecombe
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