Magma and Lava

Volcano Eruption

When components within the Earth, such as boiling lava, rocks, and dust, explode from a volcano, it is known as a volcanic eruption. An explosion could emerge from the volcano’s side branches or upper section. It could be dangerous if massive amounts of rock and volcanic ash erupt. These types of explosions kill or harm a large number of people.

A volcano is a vent in the Earth’s crust that produces eruptions. Around 1500 volcanoes on the earth have the potential to erupt. When volcanoes erupt, they can hurl hot, toxic gases, ash, lava, and rock, inflicting massive loss of life and property, particularly in highly populated areas. Volcanic eruptions and wildfires impacted 6.2 million people and killed approximately 2400 people between 1998 and 2017.

Causes for Volcano Eruption

Because of the extreme heat, the rocks in the Earth’s mantle melt. Its substance, on the other hand, stayed inside and expanded in volume as it transformed into a liquid. The material is light in weight because it is thinner than the surrounding rocks. Because thin lava can float, it rises to the crust’s surface. If the density of the magma between the area of its creation and the crust is less than the imprisoned rocks, it rises to the surface and bursts.

Magmas are formed when andesitic and rhyolitic components interact. Water, sulphur dioxide, and carbon dioxide are among the dissolved volatiles found in them. Experiments have demonstrated that the amount of liquefied gas in magma is zero at universal pressure, but grows as the force is increased. As magma rises, the solubility of water in it diminishes.

Magma

Magma is the word for the extremely hot semi-liquid and liquid rock found in the earth’s crust. Furthermore, the planet Earth is made up of several layers, including an inner core, an outer core, a mantle, and a crust. While learning about magma definition, keep in mind that it is abundant in the earth’s mantle. This molten material, however, travels through cracks and holes in the external surface, resulting in a volcanic eruption.

Some important points about Magma

Magma is made up of minerals.

• It contains trace amounts of dissolved gases such as carbon dioxide, water vapour, and sulphur.

• Due to enormous pressure and intense temperatures beneath the earth’s crust, magma remains liquid.

• Magma is divided into three types: basaltic, rhyolitic, and andesitic, with each type having a different mineral content.

• All types of magma contain a significant amount of silicon dioxide.

Types of Magma

1. Basaltic Magma: Basaltic magma contains high quantities of iron, calcium, and magnesium. However, it is low in sodium and potassium. Furthermore, basaltic magma has a temperature range of 1832°F to 2192°F.

2. Rhyolitic Magma: Sodium and potassium are more abundant in rhyolitic magma, but calcium, magnesium, and iron are also present in small levels. Its temperature ranges from 1202 to 1472 degrees Fahrenheit.

3. Andesitic Magma: This magma has a temperature range of 1472°F to 1832°F and contains considerable amounts of sodium, potassium, calcium, and iron. The flowing property of magma, on the other hand, is determined by its mineral composition and temperature.

Lava 

When molten rock reaches the earth’s surface, it turns into lava. Its temperature ranges from 700 to 1200 degrees Celsius (1300 to 2200 degrees Fahrenheit). Furthermore, lava can be completely free-flowing, similar to fluids. It can, however, be somewhat rigid.

Some important points about Lava

• The higher the percentage of silica in lava, the higher its viscosity (thickness).

• Olivine, amphibole, quartz, mica, feldspar, and pyroxene are all silicate minerals found in lava.

• As previously stated, the composition depicts the behaviour of lava rather than its temperature during an eruption.

• Aa lava flow, pahoehoe lava flow, and blocky lava flow are the three most common forms of lava flow. The aa flow is characterised by free lumps of pointed lava, whereas the pahoehoe flow is rather smooth. Blocky flow, on the other hand, is more or less the same as a flow. However, it is viscous in comparison.

Magma and Lava difference

Conclusion

Magma is molten or hot liquid rock found deep beneath the Earth’s surface. Magma is created when the temperature of the Earth’s crust or mantle is extremely high, and pressure in those layers falls. Magma rises and overflows when a volcano erupts or when a deep break in the Earth occurs. Lava is the fluid that oozes out of a volcano or fracture, usually mixed with steam and gas. Fresh lava has a temperature range of 1,300° to 2,200° F (700° to 1,200° C) and glows red hot to white hot as it flows.

A big volcano’s eruption could release massive amounts of lava, enough to flood the entire area. During the 1887 eruption of Hawaii’s volcano Mauna Loa, roughly 2.5 million tonnes (2.3 million metric tonnes) of lava poured out per hour for almost six days.