Basaltic Lava And Granitic Lava

Eruptions of granitic lava usually entail a composite cone volcano which produces both lava and pyroclastic material while.

Basaltic lava and granitic lava. Basalt is an igneous volcanic rock that forms commonly in oceanic crust and parts of continental crust. Andesitic lava is an example of a high viscosity lava whereas balastic lava has a low viscosity so is more runny. This makes granitic lava much more viscous and produces more clastic material and more violent eruptions. Basaltic magma contains between 45 and 55 percent silicon dioxide and is high in magnesium iron and calcium while granitic magma contains between 65 and 75 percent silicon dioxide and only small amounts of those minerals.

High silica content in the andesitic lava contributes to causing this high viscosity and low silica content in the basaltic lava means it is of a lower viscosity. One major difference between basaltic and granitic magma is their specific mineral contents. It forms from lava flows which extrude onto the surface and cool. Granitic or rhyolitic lava has a much higher silica content than basaltic lava.