Effusive
Fluid magma · low pressureLava flows relatively gently because the magma is runny and gas can escape without strongly fragmenting it.
Low viscosity → easy degassing → lava flows
Volcanology
Volcano Lab
Build a magma, change the conditions, then erupt it. Your choices affect viscosity, gas escape and pressure — and those determine what the volcano does in this interactive volcanology and Earth science experiment.
This is a simplified teaching model.
Real eruptions depend on many more factors,
but the experiment highlights the main
cause-and-effect relationships.
Cross-section · magma chamber → conduit → vent
Pressure: moderate
Challenges
Pick a target, then build the right volcanic system.
No challenge selected.
Eruption guide
Compare the main eruption styles used in this experiment. Your latest result will be highlighted.
Lava fountain
Runny magma · active degassingExpanding gas drives glowing jets of lava above the vent while fluid lava may continue down the flank.
Low viscosity + gas → fountains + flows
Strombolian
Intermittent gas burstsGas collects into pockets that burst at the vent, throwing bombs and spatter in repeated explosive pulses.
Gas pockets → bursts → bombs and spatter
Vulcanian
Viscous magma · restricted gas escapePressure builds beneath a partly blocked vent and is released in short, forceful explosions of ash and rock fragments.
Higher viscosity → trapped gas → violent blasts
Plinian
Gas-rich · highly explosiveViscous, gas-rich magma fragments efficiently and drives a sustained eruption column high into the atmosphere.
Trapped gas + high viscosity → towering ash column
Lava dome
Very viscous · crystal-rich magmaSticky magma piles up close to the vent. An unstable dome can collapse and generate a fast pyroclastic flow.
Very high viscosity → dome growth → collapse hazard
Part of the Dig Earth Studio Lab
← Explore all interactive Earth science experiments in the Lab