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

One nautical mile west of Santorini, opposite the village of Oia and the caldera, lies the tiny island of Therasia, accessible via boat departing from Ammoudi Bay. —Monica Mendal, Vogue, 15 July 2025

Pablo Moreno-Yaeger is collecting samples near the caldera of Mocho-Choshuenco, which the researchers dated at 11,500 years ago. —Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025

One of the largest eruptions in the area took place around 40,000 years ago, covering the area in ash and blasting open a caldera 9 miles wide. —Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 29 May 2025

Take in views of the world’s largest volcanic caldera at Mount Aso and soothe sore muscles in volcanic sand baths and onsens. —Jen Murphy, Outside Online, 18 June 2025

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
• cordillera
• diptera
• drosera
• mascara
• patera
• provera

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