3. VOLCANOES
A volcano is a vent or fissure in the Earth’s crust
through which molten magma, hot gases, and
other fluids escape to the surface of the land or to
the bottom of the sea
Volcanoes may be classified broadly into:
Central Types: the products escape via a single
pipe (vent)
Fissure Types: the products escape from a
linear vent or crack
6. Earth’s Geotherm
GEOTHERM: increase in
temperature with depth in the
earth
GEOTHERMAL GRADIENT is
the rate of change of T with
depth
In upper 100 km, average
geothermal gradient = 300C
km-1
Heat source is decay of
radioactive elements
This heat causes melting of
rocks to form Magma
7. Composition of Magma
Variation in magma properties include:
SILICA CONTENT
varies from 45% to 75%
VOLATILES (GAS CONTENT)
most common gases: H2O vapor,
CO2, SO2, H2S
TEMPERATURE OF ERUPTED MAGMA
varies from 12000C to about 8000C
Variation in magma properties affect VISCOSITY of
the magma
8. Viscosity of Magma
VISCOSITY refers to the thickness or fluidity of a
liquid
Liquid with HIGH viscosity are very thick,
sticky
Liquid with LOW viscosity are very fluid
Effect of various properties on magma viscosity:
Temperature: HIGH temperature = LOW
viscosity (i.e. very fluid)
Silica Content: HIGH silica = HIGH viscosity
Volatile Content: HIGH volatiles = LOW
viscosity
(However, high gas contents contribute to
explosive eruptions)