It can also clog up the volcanic vent and form blocks that resist the flow of lava. … But most importantly, highly viscous lava is associated with explosive eruptions and dangerous pyroclastic flows. An example of a low viscosity (fast flowing) lava is basaltic lava.

Why is basaltic magma dangerous?

Because of basalt’s low silica content, it has a low viscosity (resistance to flow). … The low viscosity typically allows volcanic gases to escape without generating enormous eruption columns. Basaltic lava fountains and fissure eruptions, however, still form explosive fountains hundreds of meters tall.

Do basaltic volcanoes explode?

Basaltic volcanoes are characterized by persistent periods of activity ranging from effusive lava flows to explosive eruptions with variable intensity (i.e., lava fountains to high-intensity, short-lasting paroxysmal events), each posing different types of potential threats to the local population.