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

In conjunction with the eruption, however, the USGS reported three earthquakes within Kīlauea caldera. —Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 17 June 2026

Outside Ain't Free Wildfires burned around the Yellowstone caldera in the summer of 2021, casting an eerie cloud of smoke over the midday sun. —Joe Sills, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026

Exploring Oregon's volcanic past—from caldera lakes to obsidian flows and lava tubes—is a must when visiting the state. —Lauren Jones, Travel + Leisure, 14 June 2026

The enormous volcanic caldera lies beneath parts of the Naples metropolitan area and has shown signs of unrest in recent years. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 9 June 2026

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
• diptera
• drosera
• mascara
• patera
• provera
• sierra

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