Basalt magmas tend to form narrow and steep conical volcanoes, whereas andesite and rhyolite magmas tend to form broad, gently sloping volcanoes.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Basalt magmas, which are low in silica, tend to form broad, gently sloping shield volcanoes due to their fluidity, allowing lava to flow over great distances. In contrast, andesite and rhyolite magmas, which are higher in silica, tend to be more viscous and can form steeper, more conical stratovolcanoes or composite volcanoes.

Basalt Magmas Tend to Form Narrow and Steep Conical Volcanoes