GEOLOGY

EARTH SCIENCE

VOLCANOES

Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
Rhyolitic magma is rich in ____
A
silica
B
iron
C
magnesium
D
sulfur
Explanation: 

Detailed explanation-1: -Rhyolite is an extrusive igneous rock, formed from magma rich in silica that is extruded from a volcanic vent to cool quickly on the surface rather than slowly in the subsurface. It is generally light in color due to its low content of mafic minerals, and it is typically very fine-grained (aphanitic) or glassy.

Detailed explanation-2: -Rhyolitic magma contains the most silica. Other types of magma have less silica in them. Basaltic magma has only 45 to 55 percent silica, and andesitic magma has about 55 to 65 percent. Rhyolitic magma also has a lower temperature than the other magma but higher viscosity and gas content.

Detailed explanation-3: -The silica content of rhyolite is usually between 60% to 77%. Rhyolite has the mineralogical composition of granite.

Detailed explanation-4: -Rhyolite is extrusive equivalent of granite magma. It is composed predominantly of quartz, K–feldspar and biotite. It may have any texture from glassy, aphanitic, porphyritic, and by the orientation of small crystals reflecting the lava flow.

Detailed explanation-5: -Rhyolitic magma is high in potassium and sodium but low in iron, magnesium, and calcium. It occurs in the temperature range of about 650oC to 800oC (1202oF to 1472oF). Both the temperature and mineral content of magma affect how easily it flows.

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