What Is Magma?
4. Viscosity
The temperature and mineral content of magma strongly influences how easily it will flow. Viscosity is defined as the resistance to flow. The higher the silica content and the lower the temperature that the magma occurs, the higher the viscosity it will have.
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Therefore, when looking at the different types of magma, basaltic magma has the lowest viscosity, while rhyolitic magmas have higher viscosity. This characteristic helps determine how the magma will erupt. Volcanoes with steep sides form from more viscous magma, while flatter ones occur where the magma flows more easily.
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