noun
caldera
kal-DAIR-uh/kælˈderə/
A large volcanic crater formed by collapse or eruption.
The volcano's broad caldera lies above a partly emptied magma chamber.
Etymology
Spanish caldera means “cauldron” or “kettle,” giving the volcanic hollow the image of a large vessel. The name evokes its shape rather than the collapse that forms it.
In context
formed 767 thousand years ago if any of you ever skied on Mammoth Mountain if you've ever skied that's it and you're looking across the caldera from that eruption that caldera can then fill with water
More examples
- A deep lake fills much of the caldera.
- The eruption caused the summit to collapse, forming a caldera.
- We hike along the rim of the caldera.
Forms
caldera · calderas
Similar words
- crater
- Names a depression without specifying large size or volcanic collapse.