What Is Magma?
5. Magma Chambers
When discussing viscosity, it is good to also address the issue of magma chambers. These are areas below volcanoes where magma and gases accumulate. Felsic or rhyolitic magma has already been established to flow poorly. It, therefore, tends to remain more deeply within Earth’s crust, as deep as 100 miles below the surface, and here will cool and form igneous rocks like granite.
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Alternatively, if there is sufficient buildup of pressure and it makes its way closer to the surface, it can be highly explosive, causing a volcanic eruption. The magma may also just end up moving into another magma chamber.
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