#caldera@Caldera Official A caldera is a large, basin-like depression that forms when a volcano erupts and collapses. Unlike typical craters, calderas are much larger, often spanning several kilometers in diameter. They result from the emptying of a magma chamber beneath a volcano during a massive eruption. Once the magma is expelled, there is no support for the land above, causing it to sink and form a caldera. Over time, these features can fill with water, creating caldera lakes, such as Crater Lake in Oregon. Some calderas may experience renewed volcanic activity, forming new cones within them. Famous examples include the Yellowstone Caldera in the U.S. and the Toba Caldera in Indonesia. Calderas are important geological features that provide insights into Earth’s volcanic activity and can influence regional ecosystems, climate, and human settlements. Studying them helps scientists better understand past eruptions and assess future volcanic hazards.
