What are the characteristics of felsic magma?

Felsic magma or lava is higher in viscosity than mafic magma/lava. Felsic rocks are usually light in color and have specific gravities less than 3. The most common felsic rock is granite. Common felsic minerals include quartz, muscovite, orthoclase, and the sodium-rich plagioclase feldspars (albite-rich).

What is felsic magma like?

Felsic magma is viscous and does not flow easily. Most felsic magma will stay deeper in the crust and will cool to form igneous intrusive rocks such as granite and granodiorite. If felsic magma rises into a magma chamber, it may be too viscous to move, so it gets stuck.

What are the characteristics of mafic magma?

Mafic magmas are low in silica and contain more dark, magnesium and iron rich mafic minerals, such as olivine and pyroxene. Felsic magmas are higher in silica and contain lighter colored minerals such as quartz and orthoclase feldspar. The higher the amount of silica in the magma, the higher is its viscosity.

What are two characteristics of felsic igneous?

Felsic rocks are rich in Silicon, Sodium, and Potassium, while Mafic igneous rocks are rich in Iron, Magnesium, and Calcium. Felsic rocks are lighter in color, whereas Mafic rocks are darker in color.

Is felsic magma viscous?

Felsic lavas are not as hot, high in silica and volatiles, and have a high viscosity. They are thick and gooey and resist flowing. Their high volatile content makes them potentially highly explosive.

How is felsic magma created?

It has been suggested that felsic magmas found at subduction-zone volcanoes are produced by mechanisms including fractional crystallization with or without crustal assimilation⁸, partial melting of the crust^9,10, and partial melting of metasomatised silica-excess pyroxenite mantle^11,12.

What are the compositions 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.

Why are there different compositions of magma?

The composition of magma depends on the rock it was formed from (by melting), and the conditions of that melting. Magmas derived from the mantle have higher levels of iron, magnesium, and calcium, but they are still likely to be dominated by oxygen and silicon.

What are the 3 main components of magma?

Magma and lava contain three components: melt, solids, and volatiles.

What are the characteristics of magma that create explosive eruptions?

Explosive eruptions are favored by high gas content and high viscosity (andesitic to rhyolitic magmas). Explosive bursting of bubbles will fragment the magma into clots of liquid that will cool as they fall through the air.

What chemical and physical characteristics of magma are most important?

The chemical composition of the Magma determines whether the Magma will erupt explosively or mot. Explanation: There are a variety of gases that are present and very high pressure in the centre of the earth. Certain gases like oxides of nitrogen when present in high amount in the Magma makes it explosive.

Which of the following is true of felsic magmas?

Which of the following are true of felsic magmas? This dark gray igneous rock is glassy and elsewhere contains small vesicles and flow bands. What type of rock is this?

Why is Kilauea considered one of the most active volcanoes in the world?

Lava consumes homes as Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano erupts

“With stratovolcanoes, when that lava reaches the surface, you get a very sudden expansion of that gas, and this generates a much more violent explosion,” Malone said.

What are 5 facts about Kilauea?

Kilauea has a history of burning Hawaii’s forests — and a few neighborhoods — to the ground.

• Kilauea has been erupting continuously since 1983. …
• It has more than two dozen craters. …
• It’s probably the world’s most active volcano. …
• Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is one of the earliest established.

What type of lava is in a composite volcano?

felsic

Composite volcano magma is felsic, which means it contains silicate-rich minerals rhyolite, andesite, and dacite. Low-viscosity lava from a shield volcano, such as might be found in Hawaii, flows from fissures and spreads.

What is the largest volcano in the world?

Mauna Loa

Rising gradually to more than 4 km (2.5 mi) above sea level, Hawaii’s Mauna Loa is the largest active volcano on our planet.

What is the smallest volcano?

Cuexcomate

Standing a diminutive 43 feet tall, Cuexcomate is commonly known as the world’s smallest volcano.

What is the oldest volcano?

The oldest volcano is probably Etna and that is about 350,000 years old. Most of the active volcanoes that we know about seem to be less than 100,000 years old. Volcanoes grow because lava or ash accumulates on the volcano, adding layers and height.

Can you stand on lava?

As long as you can bear the heat, it means lava is strong enough for you to walk on it.

Can lava melt a diamond?

To put it simply, a diamond cannot melt in lava, because the melting point of a diamond is around 4500 °C (at a pressure of 100 kilobars) and lava can only be as hot as about 1200 °C.

Can you eat lava?

The pieces look exactly like lava, and they even feel like lava in your hand, so people don’t believe they are actually edible until they bite into them!” “The lava has been immensely popular among our guests, especially children!

Does obsidian exist?

obsidian, igneous rock occurring as a natural glass formed by the rapid cooling of viscous lava from volcanoes. Obsidian is extremely rich in silica (about 65 to 80 percent), is low in water, and has a chemical composition similar to rhyolite. Obsidian has a glassy lustre and is slightly harder than window glass.

Is obsidian volcanic glass?

Obsidian (/ˌɒbˈsɪdiən/; /əb-/) is a naturally occurring volcanic glass formed when lava extruded from a volcano cools rapidly with minimal crystal growth. It is an igneous rock.

Why is obsidian considered felsic?

Obsidian Definition and Origin

It is formed during the eruption of felsic lavas, which are distinguished by having high concentrations of the chemical element silica. Because of their high silica content, felsic lavas do not behave like the mafic, or silica-poor, lavas we see on the island of Hawaii.

Is obsidian sharper than diamond?

Surprising Things about Obsidian

Surprisingly, the edge of a piece of obsidian is superior to that of a surgeon’s steel scalpel. It is 3 times sharper than diamond and between 500-1000 times sharper than a razor or a surgeon’s steel blade resulting in easier incisions and fewer microscopic ragged tissue cuts.

What can cut a diamond?

Diamond manufacturers cut a groove in the diamond with a laser or saw, and then split the diamond with a steel blade. Sawing is the use of a diamond saw or laser to cut the diamond rough into separate pieces.

What temp does obsidian melt?

It’s about 1,000 degrees Celsius (1,830 degrees Fahrenheit). That’s about five times as hot as your oven when you bake a cake! Rondi: Sounds like what scientists call a “volatile situation.” Obsidian: If there’s any crack or weak zone above the magma chamber, that magma is going to blow!