Volcanoes Flashcards
Crater:
A basin-like rimmed structure at top or on flanks of a volcanic cone
Vent:
Opening at Earth’s surface through which volcanic material is extruded
Magma Chamber:
A reservoir of magma in the shallow part of the lithosphere
Magma Formation-Rift at mid-ocean ridge:
Decrease in pressure lowers melting temperature of materials in the asthenosphere
Magma Formation-Asthenosphere at a hot spot:
Temperature increase can cause materials to melt
Magma Formation-Asthenosphere at subduction boundaries:
Increase in amount of water in the asthenosphere can lower melting temperature of materials there
What controls the magma type and eruption style?
The viscosity of the magma
What effects viscosity?
Temperature of magma:
-hotter, lower viscosity, more fluid
Composition of magma (amount of silica):
-more silica, higher viscosity, more resistant to flow
What makes magma/lava erupt?
- Magma is a liquid, less dense than surrounding material
- Gases within magma rise to surface
Low viscosity lava:
Gases easily rise and are gently released
High viscosity lava:
Gases build up resulting in explosive eruptions
Basaltic Magma:
- Silica Content
- Gas Content
- Viscosity
- Type of Eruption
- Melting Temperature
- Location
- Example
- Less than or equal to 50%
- Least
- Least
- Rarely explosive
- Highest
- Rifts, oceanic hotspots
- Kilauea
Andesitic Magma:
- Silica Content
- Gas Content
- Viscosity
- Type of Eruption
- Melting Temperature
- Location
- Example
- 60%
- Intermediate
- Intermediate
- Sometimes explosive
- Intermediate
- Subduction boundaries
- Mountain St. Helens
Rhyolitic Magma:
- Silica Content
- Gas Content
- Viscosity
- Type of Eruption
- Melting Temperature
- Location
- Example
- 70%
- Most
- Most
- Usually explosive
- Lowest
- Continental hotspots
- Yellowstone
What is a volcano?
An opening in Earth’s crust through which molten rock, gases and ash erupt