Basaltic magma is acidic fluid rich in iron and magnesium but poor in silica.
What is the difference between granitic andesitic and basaltic magma.
Other articles where granitic magma is discussed.
One major difference between basaltic and granitic magma is their specific mineral contents.
Basaltic magma contains between 45 and 55 percent silicon dioxide and is high in magnesium iron and calcium while granitic magma contains between 65 and 75 percent silicon dioxide and only small amounts of those minerals.
The hardness of basalt is 6 and that of andesite is 7.
The key word that should be used when describing different lava types is viscous which essentially means how thick the lava is with a high viscosity describing a very thick slow moving lava.
Granitic or rhyolitic magmas and andesitic magmas are generated at convergent plate boundaries where the oceanic lithosphere the outer layer of earth composed of the crust and upper mantle is subducted so that its edge is positioned below the edge of the continental plate or.
Appearance of basalt is dull and soft and that of andesite is dull and soft.
Andesitic lava is an example of a high viscosity lava whereas balastic lava has a low.
Properties of rock is another aspect for basalt vs andesite.
Basalt is available in black brown light to dark grey colors whereas andesite is available in bluish grey grey pink yellow colors.