Understanding What Magma Is
Magma is hot, molten rock found beneath Earth’s surface. It forms deep underground where temperatures are high enough to melt solid rock.
How Magma Forms
Magma forms when rocks in the mantle or crust melt due to heat, pressure changes, or the presence of water, which lowers the melting point.
Where Magma Is Found
It collects in magma chambers beneath volcanoes. These chambers act like reservoirs that store molten rock until pressure forces it upward.
What Magma Is Made Of
Magma contains melted rock, crystals, and dissolved gases such as water vapor, carbon dioxide, and sulfur dioxide. Its composition affects how it erupts.
Magma vs. Lava
Magma is molten rock below the surface. Lava is magma that reaches the surface during a volcanic eruption.
Why Magma Moves
Magma rises because it is less dense than the surrounding solid rock. Gas pressure and heat push it upward through cracks and vents.
Types of Magma
Basaltic magma: Hot, runny, and common in ocean volcanoes.
Andesitic magma: Thicker and found in many continental volcanoes.
Rhyolitic magma: Very thick and explosive due to high gas content.
The Simple Takeaway
Magma is molten rock beneath Earth’s surface. It forms from intense heat, rises through the crust, and powers the volcanic activity that shapes our planet.