VOLATILES

Volatiles are that group of compounds with low boiling points (see volatile) that are associated with a planet's or moon's crust and/or atmosphere. Examples include hydrogen, water, carbon dioxide, ammonia and methane, all compounds of C, H, O and/or N. In terrestrial geology, the term more specifically refers to components of magma (mostly water vapor and carbon dioxide) that affect the appearance and strength of volcanoes. Volatiles affect the viscosity of the magma, and the tendency to explosive eruptions.
The Earth's Moon is considered very low in volatiles: its crust contains oxygen chemically bound into the rocks (as eg silicates), but negligible amounts of hydrogen, nitrogen or carbon.

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★ Glossary of planetary astronomy terms

★ Volatiles of Costa Rican volcanoes.