@Caldera Official #Caldera $ERA The term "caldera" primarily refers to a large, bowl-shaped volcanic depression. Here's a breakdown of what that means:

* Formation: Calderas are formed when a volcano's magma chamber (the underground reservoir of molten rock) is partially emptied during a large volcanic eruption. With the support gone, the ground above the chamber collapses inward, creating the depression.

* Size: They are significantly larger than typical volcanic craters, often measuring more than 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) in diameter, and can be tens of kilometers wide.

* Distinction from Craters: While they may look similar, a key difference is how they form. Craters are generally formed by explosive outward blasting, whereas calderas are formed by inward collapse (subsidence).

* Types:

* Explosive Calderas: Result from violent eruptions of silica-rich magma, which is viscous and contains a lot of dissolved gases. These eruptions produce massive ash-flow tuffs and pyroclastic flows.

* Non-explosive Calderas: Often found on shield volcanoes (like those in Hawaii) and form during large effusive eruptions (lava flows) that drain the magma chamber