1. by: Jen Feigi and Kelly Foster
Calderas
by:
Jen Feigi and Kelly Foster

2. What is a caldera?
A caldera is a volcanic feature formed by the collapse of a volcano into itself.
Calderas may be filled with water, creating crater lakes.
Caldera means “cauldron” in Spanish.

3. How do calderas form?
A collapse is caused by the emptying of the magma chamber.
If enough magma is erupted, the emptied chamber will not be able to support itself.
The circular depression is the result.

4. Explosive Calderas Magma rises to the surface of the volcano.
Gas quickly expands causing explosion and spreading volcanic ash.
Lava may also be erupted.

5. Yellowstone Caldera Started erupting 1.9 millions years ago.
Ejected 2500 cubic kilometers of pyroclastic material.
This eruption was 2500 times bigger than the Mount Saint Helen eruption.

6. Yellowstone Caldera

7. Non-explosive Calderas
The magma is less vicious.
These calderas are also known as subsidence calderas.
The magma chamber flows instead of exploding.

8. Kilauea Caldera An active volcano in the Hawaiian Islands.
Kilauea means “spewing” or “much spreading”.
It is the most active and most visited volcano on the planet.

9. Kilauea Caldera

10. Non-volcanic Calderas
These calderas are very rare.
They are caused by erosion rather than eruption.

11. La Palma Caldera Located in the Canary Islands.
Most active volcano in the Canary Islands.
Largest erosion crater in the world.

12. La Palma Caldera

13. Reference Page http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caldera
Thompson, Graham R., Turk, Jonathan. Earth Science and the Environment. 3rd ed. Thompson: Australia 2005.