GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Viscosity-resistance to flow of a lava determines how easily the gas escapes. The more viscous the lava and the greater the volume of gas trying to escape, the more violent the eruption will be. Viscosity is most affected by temperature and silica content.

Detailed explanation-2: -Viscosity is the term for lava’s resistance to flow.

Detailed explanation-3: -Lava viscosity determines the kind of volcanic activity that takes place when the lava is erupted. The greater the viscosity, the greater the tendency for eruptions to be explosive rather than effusive. As a result, most lava flows on Earth, Mars, and Venus are composed of basalt lava.

Detailed explanation-4: -Differences in a magma’s viscosity will determine the shape a volcano takes. High-silica (basalt) magma has a much lower viscosity. It flows much easier and over longer distances. As low-silica magma cools, it hardens to rock, adding a new thin layer of rock to the volcano.