caldera

[ kal-der-uh, kawl- ]

noun

1. a large, basinlike depression resulting from the explosion or collapse of the center of a volcano.

caldera

/ kælˈdɛərə; ˈkɔːldərə /

noun

1. a large basin-shaped crater at the top of a volcano, formed by the collapse or explosion of the cone See cirque

caldera

/ kăl-dâr′ə,-dîr′ə,käl- /

1. A large, roughly circular crater left after a volcanic explosion or the collapse of a volcanic cone. Calderas are typically much wider in diameter than the openings of the vents from which they were formed.

Word History and Origins

Origin of caldera¹

1860–65; < Spanish Caldera, name of a crater on Canary Islands, literally, cauldron < Late Latin caldāria, noun use of feminine of caldārius of warming; caldarium

Word History and Origins

Origin of caldera¹

C19: from Spanish Caldera (literally: cauldron ), name of a crater in the Canary Islands

Example Sentences

The area surrounding the caldera has been closed to the public since 2008 because of other hazards, including ground cracking, instability in the crater wall and rockfalls.

From Seattle Times

As the reservoir depleted, the ground above it -- the crater within the caldera at the volcano's summit -- suddenly collapsed.

From Science Daily

During the experiments, the optical sensor is kept in a controlled laboratory environment in a building that sits on top of a volcano caldera -- a large depression formed when a volcano erupts and collapses.

From Science Daily

A caldera remnant -- the remains of a collapsed volcanic crater once host to a lava lake -- can be seen near the center of the structure.

From Science Daily

It is likely that the particles were deposited as sediment in the body of water of a "caldera" -- a large cauldron-shaped hollow that forms after volcanic activity.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• hole
• mouth
• pit