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

Crater Lake Lodge, Crater Lake, Oregon This lodge inside Crater Lake National Park, first opened in 1915, sits on the edge of the caldera almost 1,000 feet above the famous lake. —Sarah Sekula, USA Today, 2 July 2025

Volcanic gas emissions and tephra -- fragments of rock, minerals and glass -- from the lava fountain may be distributed south of the caldera, due to the winds blowing from the north, the USGS said. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 20 June 2025

Winds around the volcano are blowing from the north, so these fragments may be distributed south of the caldera, the observatory said. —Kerry Breen june 20, CBS News, 20 June 2025

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. —Helen Iatrou, AFAR Media, 29 May 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