Pillow basalts attain their distinctive blob-like shapes because their parent lavas do not travel far prior to solidification.This is because the parent lavas ________.
A)are completely devoid of volatiles and thus travel slowly
B)erupt underwater and thus cool very quickly
C)are highly felsic and thus travel slowly
D)are ultramafic and thus freeze at exceptionally high temperatures

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Pillow basalts form when lava erupts underwater and cools quickly, creating rounded shapes. Due to the rapid cooling, they do not have time to flow far from the eruption site, resulting in their blob-like form. The other options given do not explain how pillow basalts attain their distinctive shape.

Pillow Basalts Attain Their Distinctive Blob-Like Shapes Because Their Parent