Meaning in geology & earth sciences, with examples
/kælˈderə/nounCommon term
In geology & earth sciences, caldera means: A large, bowl-shaped hollow formed when the ground above a magma chamber collapses after a big eruption has emptied the chamber.
In Turkish: kaldera
How it is used
Calderas are usually several kilometres across, far larger than a crater, and often fill with water to form lakes. In Turkey, Nemrut volcano near Lake Van has a caldera with lakes inside it. Phrases: caldera collapse, caldera lake, caldera rim.
Example sentences
The caldera formed when the roof of the magma chamber collapsed.
From the caldera rim you can see two lakes inside the volcano.
Common collocations
caldera collapse
caldera lake
caldera rim
collapse caldera
Related terms
volcanoAn opening in the Earth's crust where magma, gas and ash come out, and the mountain or hill built around it by repeated eruptions.
magmaMolten or partly molten rock beneath the Earth's surface, often containing crystals and dissolved gases. It is called lava once it reaches the surface.
eruptTo send out lava, ash and gas, either in a violent explosion or as a quieter flow of lava. Said of volcanoes, and also of geysers.
pyroclastic flowA fast-moving, ground-hugging cloud of hot gas, ash and rock fragments that rushes down the side of a volcano during an explosive eruption.
