Question

Is lava an acid or basic ?

Is magma an acid or basic ?

Answer 1

Lava can be both acidic and basic in nature. It all depends on the percentage of silica present in lava to differentiate it as acidic or basic.

Lava consists mainly of silica (silicon dioxide). Mafic lava, sometimes called basic lava, is around 50 per cent silica. Felsic lava, sometimes called acidic lava, is around 70 per cent silica. Lava with a silicon content between that of mafic and felsic lava is called intermediate lava.