caldera
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A large, bowl-shaped volcanic depression, typically formed by the collapse of land following a powerful volcanic eruption that empties a magma chamber.
Usage
The term is used specifically in geology and volcanology to describe a major volcanic landform. It refers to the resulting cavity, not the explosive event itself.
Examples
- The caldera of Yellowstone National Park is one of the largest in the world.
- Scientists study the formation of a caldera to understand past super-eruptions.
- A lake often fills the caldera long after the volcanic activity has ceased.
Advanced Usage
- Nested caldera: A caldera formed within a larger, older caldera.
- Resurgent dome: A uplifted area in the center of a caldera caused by renewed magma pressure.
Variants and Related Words
- Calderic (adjective): Relating to or characteristic of a caldera. (e.g., ).
Different Meanings
This word has a single, specific geological meaning.
Synonyms
- Volcanic crater
- Collapse crater
- Crater (in a specific volcanic context)
Idioms
- None. This is a technical term not used idiomatically.
Phrasal Verbs
- None. This is a noun and does not form phrasal verbs.
Noun
- a large crater caused by the violent explosion of a volcano that collapses into a depression