Question

Distinguish between the following pair of terms associated with vulcanicity:

Acidic Lava and Basic Lava

Answer 1

Acidic Lava	Basic Lava
It is rich in silica and poor in iron and magnesium.	It is poor in silica and rich in iron and magnesium.

Answer 2

Acidic Lava and Basic lava
Acidic Lava :

1. It is a highly viscous lava.
2. It is light coloured like granite.
3. It has a low density.
4. It has a high percentage of silica.
5. It flows slowly and results in steep-sided cones or lava domes.

Basic Lava :

1. It is highly fine and thin.
2. It is dark coloured like Basalt.
3. It has a high density.
4. It is poor in silica.
5. It flows rapidly as thin sheets resulting in shield cones.