SCIENCE 9: MODULE 5:

TYPES OF VLCANIC ERUPTION

Volcanic eruptions are caused by magma (a mixture of liquid rock, crystals, and
dissolved gas) expelled onto the Earth's surface, we must first relate the
characteristics of magma with the volcanic eruption. This includes the types of
magma, gases in magmas, the temperature of magma, and the viscosity of magma.
Types of magma

There are three general types of magma based on their chemical composition:
1. Basaltic magma -- SiO2 45-55 wt%, high in Fe, Mg, Ca, low in K, Na
2. Andesitic magma -- SiO2 55-65 wt%, intermediate. in Fe, Mg, Ca, Na, K
3. Rhyolitic magma -- SiO2 65-75%, low in Fe, Mg, Ca, high in K, Na Gases in
Magma

Deep within the earth, nearly all magmas contain gas dissolved in the liquid, but
the gas forms a separate vapor phase when pressure is decreased as magma rises toward
the surface of the Earth. Gas gives magmas their explosive character because the
volume of gas expands as pressure is reduced. The composition of the gases in magma
are:
• Mostly water vapor & some carbon dioxide
• Minor amounts of Sulfur, Chlorine, and Fluorine gases
The amount of gas in magma is related to the chemical composition of the magma.
Basaltic magmas usually have lower gas contents than rhyolitic magmas.

Temperature of Magmas

The temperature of magmas is exceedingly difficult to measure (due to the danger

involved), but laboratory measurement and limited field observation indicate that the
eruption temperature of various magmas is as follows:
• Basaltic magma - 1000 to 1200oC • Andesitic magma -
800 to 1000oC
• Rhyolitic magma - 650 to 800oC.

Viscosity of Magma

Viscosity is the resistance to flow (opposite of fluidity). Viscosity depends primarily

on the composition of the magma, and temperature.

• Higher SiO2 (silica) content magmas have a higher viscosity than lower SiO 2
content magmas (viscosity increases with increasing SiO 2 concentration in the
magma).

• Lower temperature magmas have a higher viscosity than higher temperature

magmas (viscosity decreases with increasing temperature of the magma).

Thus, basaltic magmas tend to be fairly fluid (low viscosity), but their viscosity is
still 10,000 to 100,000 times more viscous than water. Rhyolitic magmas tend to
have an even higher viscosity, ranging between 1 million and 100 million times
more viscous than water. (Note that solids, even though they appear solid have
viscosity, but it very high, measured as trillions of times the viscosity of water).
Viscosity is an important property in determining the eruptive behavior of magmas.

Table 1. Magma Composition and Characteristics

Magma type Chemical Gas Explosiveness Temperature
Composition Content
(silica content)
Basaltic 45-55 SiO2 %, high in Low Least 1000 - 1200 oC
Magma Fe, Mg, Ca, low in K, Na
Andesitic 55-65 SiO2 %, Intermedi Intermediate 800 - 1000 oC
Magma intermediate in Fe, ate
Mg, Ca, Na, K
Rhyolitic 5-75 SiO2 %, low in Fe, High Greatest 650 - 800 oC
Magma Mg, Ca, high in K, Na.

Process of Volcanic Eruption

Magma inside the volcano has a high temperature. As the magma is continuously
heated, it goes up. As it rises, gas bubbles are developed. The gas bubbles are trapped
and expand causing the molten material to swell also, resulting in a gradual increase in
pressure within the volcano. When the pressure exceeds the strength of the overlying
rock, fracturing occurs. The resulting breaks lead to a further drop in confining pressure,
which in turn causes even more gas bubbles to form. Magma is ejected out as lava.

Types of Volcanic Eruptions

Each volcano erupts differently. Multiple types of eruptions can occur at each
volcano - the eruption type can vary minute to minute. The style of eruption depends on
a number of factors, including the magma chemistry and content, temperature, viscosity
(how runny the magma is), volume, and how much water and gas is in it, the presence of
groundwater, and the plumbing of the volcano. Volcanoes are described according to the
style of the eruption as follows:

a. Phreatic or hydrothermal- An eruption driven by the heat from magma

interacting with water. The water can be from groundwater, hydrothermal systems,
surface runoff, a lake, or the sea. Phreatic eruptions pulverize surrounding rocks and
can produce ash, but do not include new magma.

b. Phreatomagmatic- An eruption resulting from the interaction of new magma or

lava with water and can be very explosive. The water can be from groundwater,
hydrothermal systems, surface runoff, a lake, or the sea.

c. Strombolian and Hawaiian- These are the least violent types of explosive
eruptions. Hawaiian eruptions have fire fountains and lava flows, whereas Strombolian
eruptions have explosions causing a shower of lava fragments.

d. Vulcanian- are small to moderate explosive eruptions, lasting seconds to

minutes. Ash columns can be up to 20 km in height, and lava blocks and bombs may be
ejected from the vent.
e. Plinian-The most explosive and largest type of volcanic eruptions. Eruptions with
a high rate of magma discharge sustained for minutes to hours. They form a tall,
convective eruption column of a mixture of gas and rock particles and can cause wide
dispersion of ash. Plinian eruptions have 20 to 35 km tall columns which may collapse to
form pyroclastic density currents (PDC’s).
 The next activities will give you a first-hand idea about the characteristics of
magma, the process of volcanic eruption, and the different eruptive styles of
volcanoes.
Module No 5: Activity No.1: Characteristics of Magma
Direction: A. Write T if the statement is true. If false, change the underlined word or
phrase to make it correct.
___________________1. Volcanic eruptions are caused by magma (a mixture of liquid
rock, crystals, and dissolved gas) expelled onto the Earth's surface.
___________________2. The amount of gas in a magma is related to the chemical
composition of the magma.
___________________3. Higher SiO2 (silica) content magmas have higher viscosity.
___________________4. Viscosity depends on primarily on the composition of the
magma, and temperature.
_________________5. The composition of the gases in magma are mostly H2O (water vapor)
& some CO2 (carbon dioxide).
__________________6. Lower temperature magmas have higher viscosity than higher
temperature magmas.
___________________7. Viscosity is an important property in determining the eruptive
behavior of magmas.
___________________8. Gas gives magmas their explosive character, because volume of
gas expands as pressure is reduced.
___________________9. Rhyolitic magmas tend to have even higher viscosity than
basaltic magmas.
__________________10. Rhyolitic magmas usually have higher gas contents than
basaltic magmas.

Module No 5: Activity No.2: Process of Volcanic Eruption

Complete the flow chart showing the arrangement of the following events leading to a
volcanic eruption. Write them on the boxes provided.
• Heated magma goes up.
• Enhanced formation of bubbles.
• Magma is ejected out as lava.
• Magma is continuously heated below the earth’s surface
• As magma rises, gas bubbles are developed pressure inside the volcano increases
due to trapped bubbles within it.
• When pressure exceeds the strength of overlying rocks, fracturing occurs resulting
in a further drop in pressure.
 Module No 5: Activity 3: Be Updated!
A volcanic eruption is often associated with both positive and negative effects. The
Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) is an agency in the
Philippines that is mandated to provide information on the activities of volcanoes,
earthquakes, and tsunamis as well as specialized services for the protection of life and
property and in support to sustainable development. Many Filipinos are still living
nearby volcanoes though they know the hazards during volcanic eruptions. Why
settlements are still found near volcanoes? Why it is very important for us to listen to the
updates given by PHIVOLCS?