Why do some volcanoes collapse to form calderas?
Quick Answer
If a large magma chamber empties quickly, the ground above it can no longer be supported and collapses inward. That creates a broad crater called a caldera.
The Full Story
A caldera is much larger than a typical summit crater and forms after a major eruption drains a substantial amount of magma from beneath the volcano. When support is removed, the roof of the magma chamber can collapse into the void, leaving a large basin. Calderas may later fill with lakes, new domes, or smaller volcanoes. Yellowstone is a famous caldera system, and the Taupō Volcanic Zone in New Zealand is another well-studied example. Caldera-forming eruptions can be among the largest volcanic events on Earth.
Key Facts
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"Why does a volcano sometimes cave in on itself?"
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