GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -The low silica concentrations in these lavas mean that they are highly fluid (e.g., have low viscosity) and they flow easily, forming lava flows that may travel great distances from the vent where they were erupted to cover broad areas of land.

Detailed explanation-2: -Basaltic lavas are more fluid than andesites or dacites, which contain more silica. Basalt is the most common rock type in the Earth’s crust (the outer 10 to 50 km). In fact, most of the ocean floor is made of basalt. Huge outpourings of lava called “flood basalts” are found on many continents.

Detailed explanation-3: -Magma is extremely hot liquid and semi-liquid rock located under Earth’s surface.

Detailed explanation-4: -Thus, basaltic magmas tend to be fairly fluid (low viscosity), but their viscosity is still 10, 000 to 100, 0000 times more viscous than water. Rhyolitic magmas tend to have even higher viscosity, ranging between 1 million and 100 million times more viscous than water.

Detailed explanation-5: -Basaltic lava is another term for mafic lava. Mafic lava is molten rock that is enriched in iron and magnesium and low in silica. When mafic lava cools on the earth’s surface, it forms basalt, which is why mafic lava is commonly called ‘basaltic lava.