caldera

noun

cal·​de·​ra kal-ˈder-ə 

kȯl-,

-ˈdir- 

: a volcanic crater that has a diameter many times that of the vent and is formed by collapse of the central part of a volcano or by explosions of extraordinary violence

Did you know?

A large, bowl-shaped volcanic depression, a caldera forms when the top of a volcanic cone collapses into the space left after magma is ejected during a violent volcanic eruption. Its diameter is many times that of the original vent. The term is Spanish for "caldron." Subsequent minor eruptions may build small cones on the floor of the caldera, and the caldera may still later fill up with water; an example of this is Crater Lake in Oregon.

Examples of caldera in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

While the lava flow can remain within the safety of the caldera, the sulfur dioxide gas released by the eruption can cause issues for those near the volcano. —David Faris, Newsweek, 18 Jan. 2025

The eruption is viewable from nearly all open areas around the caldera, the park said in a Facebook post. —Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 23 Dec. 2024

Lava is erupting from vents on the west part of the caldera wall, feeding lava flows that cover the area of Halemaʻumaʻu crater. —Cara Tabachnick, CBS News, 27 Dec. 2024

The caldera is the enormous volcanic crater left from the last time Yellowstone experienced a giant eruption, 640,000 years ago. —Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 1 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, literally, cauldron, from Late Latin caldaria — more at cauldron

First Known Use

1667, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for caldera

• aspera
• barbera
• barrera
• cascara
• chimaera
• chimera
• cordillera
• diptera
• drosera
• mascara
• patera
• provera

Kids Definition

caldera

noun

cal·​de·​ra kal-ˈder-ə  kȯl- 

-ˈdir-

: a large crater formed by the collapse of a volcanic cone or by an explosion