Lava Types and flows
Volcano Learning zone > Volcano Glossary
The eruptive characteristics of lava depend on chemical composition , in particular silica %,,temperature, volatile content, rate of eruption and slope.
Basalt has a low silica content and a high eruptive temperatur it is therefore has a low viscosity and can form long fast moving lava flows, such as pahoehoe.
In contrast stickier lavas such as Rhyolite and Dacite are extruded as "toothpaste" like lava and often form domes. Stickier lavas tend to be mor explosive as volatiles cannot(gas,water bubbles) cannot escape so easily.