Why Do Some Volcanoes Explode? The Chemistry of Magma

Volcanoes are pretty interesting, but you probably don't consciously think about why some volcanoes explode while other seem to belch lava like a sickness. But much like the real estate business, location location location, is the primary driver to why a Volcano behaves the way it does.

Sources:
Lutgens, F. Essentials of Geology 11th Ed.
Schmincke, H.U. Volcanism
Sheinmann, Y.M. Tectonics and the Formation of Magmas

[alik]

This is a criminally underrated channel

[marysorensen]

Great video, but there is a small mistake. When you are talking about the age of the Hawaiian islands, the main island is the youngest of the chain, while the smaller islands are older. Without a constant influx of magma to combat the weathering and erosional forces of the ocean, these volcanic islands become smaller

[flaneurmd]

Impressive how succinctly you can explain natural phenomena
I’m in awe (and jealous)

[tobuslieven]

This answered so many questions I've had, but not really known where to look for answers. Thanks!

[WoWFREAK]

So, you made a pretty big error when talking about the Hawaiian islands... you got the plate direction right, (roughly northwest) but the labels indicating the islands' ages are incorrect. The newest island is Hawai'i and it is the largest because less of it has eroded over time, and the oldest in the windward chain is Kauai'i which is much smaller because it has been so eroded over the millennia.

The age labels would make sense if the arrow showing direction showed movement of the hotspot itself, not the plate upon which the islands sit.

Otherwise, really cool video that seems fairly accurate to my layperson ears.

[ferretappreciator]

I used to wanna jump into a volcano when I was younger. Unfortunately I never got the opportunity

[mahfuzahmed]

Dude theres something about your channel I cant put my finger on it. Maybe it's the way you animate or your voice or the funny way the intro comes about but I just loves these vids. KEEP GOING

[bouteilledeau]

While it may be true that the Oceanic subduction zones are generally more mafic than the continental ones, it cannot be concluded that they are more effusive. The Aleutian chain is a good example, with most of them sleeping.

An even better example is the Carribean chain, with Soufrière Hills, Pelée, St-Vincent and others.

[elle_T.T]

Amazing video! I binged them all. They are easy to understand, and you present such great visualizations. One thing I have noticed, you may have flipped the direction of plate movement at 5:34

[SM_Price]

Other than the endearing mispronunciations (e.g. lattice and mafic), this is a really good overview with great visualizations of plate tectonics and volcanism.

[omerfarukkhan]

Absorbing, entertaining and informative.

[icelvinals]

Great content, I am glad I found your channel!

[javierferrer]

Very good video, as someone else mentioned criminally underrated.

[ghr]

5:35 Newer and Older should be switched.

[xot]

Here before this channel blows up like a volcano

[hypercomms]

"We Love"?? I guess that depends if one is very far away from an eruption!

Still I find your videos very informative. Thank you.

[methylmike]

do you have a master file of all these molecular constructions you've made?

blender? i feel like access to these files would be highly valuable educational tool

[artemisstyle]

Very informative, thankyou. We enjoyed that.

[sloperclimbing]

Your videos are fantastic! Keep making them good sir!

[gumball]

So let me see if I've got this straight. The real friends were the skateboards inside us all along