What is the difference between quiet and explosive volcanoes?

Volcanic eruptions, while awe-inspiring and dangerous to humans, serve a critical role in enabling life to exist. Without them, the Earth would have no atmosphere or oceans. read more

Outside of the kitchen, this means that the primary product of quiet eruptions is runny lava, while the most explosive eruptions spew forth not only thicker lava, but also rock fragments and noxious gases, which can pummel down the sides of the volcano at speeds of nearly 100 kilometers per hour (about 60 miles per hour). read more

The difference is the type of magma. Basaltic magma forms volcanoes such as those on Hawaii. The magma is less viscous and flows readily. It does not build up large lava domes which result in huge pressure buildups. read more

Presumably you mean volcanic eruptions. The differences are the kind of magma that the volcano has and how much gas is dissolved in the magma. Gas first. Magma second. read more