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Felsic. In geology, felsic is a modifier describing igneous rocks that are relatively rich in elements that form feldspar and quartz. [1] It is contrasted with mafic rocks, which are relatively richer in magnesium and iron. Felsic refers to silicate minerals, magma, and rocks which are enriched in the lighter elements such as silicon, oxygen ...
The most famous and destructive historical eruptions are mainly of this type. An eruptive phase can consist of a single eruption, or a sequence of several eruptions spread over several days, weeks or months. Explosive eruptions usually involve thick, highly viscous, silicic or felsic magma, high in volatiles like water vapor and carbon dioxide.
The magma forming this lava is often felsic, having high to intermediate levels of silica (as in rhyolite, dacite, or andesite), with lesser amounts of less viscous mafic magma. [2] Extensive felsic lava flows are uncommon, but have traveled as far as 15 km (9 mi). [3] Stratovolcanoes are sometimes called composite volcanoes because of their ...
Eruptions can last anywhere from hours to days, with longer eruptions being associated with more felsic volcanoes. Although they are usually associated with felsic magma, Plinian eruptions can occur at basaltic volcanoes, if the magma chamber differentiates with upper portions rich in silicon dioxide, [40] or if magma ascends rapidly. [42]
This eruption created the Doro Api Toi parasitic cone inside the caldera. [24] Mount Tambora is still active and minor lava domes and flows have been extruded on the caldera floor during the 19th and 20th centuries. [1] The last eruption was recorded in 1967. However, it was a gentle eruption with a VEI of 0, which means it was non-explosive.
Magma (sometimes colloquially but incorrectly referred to as lava) is found beneath the surface of the Earth, and evidence of magmatism has also been discovered on other terrestrial planets and some natural satellites. [3] Besides molten rock, magma may also contain suspended crystals and gas bubbles.
From the 1631 eruption until 1944, there was a comparatively small eruption every few years, emitting 0.001–0.01 km 3 of magma. For Vesuvius, the amount of magma expelled in an eruption increases roughly linearly with the interval since the previous one, and at a rate of around 0.001 cubic kilometres (0.00024 cu mi) for each year. [75]
VEI. 5. Impact. Buried the Roman settlements of Pompeii, Herculaneum, Oplontis, and Stabiae. Deaths. 1,500–3,500, possibly up to 16,000 [1][note 1] Of the many eruptions of Mount Vesuvius, a major stratovolcano in Southern Italy, the best-known is its eruption in 79 AD, [2][3] which was one of the deadliest in history.