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
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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
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In Santorini, the adults-only boutique hotel the Duchess is scheduled to open in the fall on the tiny Thirassia islet, away from the caldera cliffside throngs.
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Helen Iatrou, AFAR Media, 29 May 2025
Most notably, in 2023 two researchers scrutinizing 30-year-old Magellan data realized that the probe had caught a volcanic eruption in the act: radar images of the volcano Maat Mons that were taken months apart showed what looked like a caldera collapse and subsequent lava flow.
—Elise Cutts, Scientific American, 13 May 2025
However, most of these, like many of our other caldera, come from cinder cones within the caldera that are more prone to erupt lava flows that cause another massive explosion.
—Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 19 Mar. 2025
Campi Flegrei Naples is close to the Campi Flegrei, a large and active caldera volcano that sits along with Vesuvius on the Campanian volcanic arc, which is prone to seismic activity.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
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Helen Iatrou, AFAR Media, 29 May 2025
Most notably, in 2023 two researchers scrutinizing 30-year-old Magellan data realized that the probe had caught a volcanic eruption in the act: radar images of the volcano Maat Mons that were taken months apart showed what looked like a caldera collapse and subsequent lava flow.
—Elise Cutts, Scientific American, 13 May 2025
However, most of these, like many of our other caldera, come from cinder cones within the caldera that are more prone to erupt lava flows that cause another massive explosion.
—Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 19 Mar. 2025
Campi Flegrei Naples is close to the Campi Flegrei, a large and active caldera volcano that sits along with Vesuvius on the Campanian volcanic arc, which is prone to seismic activity.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for caldera
Cite this Entry
“Caldera.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caldera. Accessed 24 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
caldera
noun
cal·de·ra
kal-ˈder-ə
kȯl-
kȯl-
-ˈdir-
: a large crater formed by the collapse of a volcanic cone or by an explosion
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