Why Do Some Volcanoes Explode? The Chemistry of Magma

Volcanoes are pretty interesting, but you probably don't consciously think about why some volcanoes explode while other seem to belch lava like a sickness. But much like the real estate business, location location location, is the primary driver to why a Volcano behaves the way it does.

Sources:
Lutgens, F. Essentials of Geology 11th Ed.
Schmincke, H.U. Volcanism
Sheinmann, Y.M. Tectonics and the Formation of Magmas