Caldera

Question 1

Give an example of a Caldera Volcano

Answer 1

The Yellowstone volcano in Yellowstone National Park which is located in the North West of the USA in the state of Wyoming. Yellowstone is considered a ‘supervolcano’ which means it is much larger than normal volcanoes.

Question 2

Characteristics of Yellowstone

Answer 2

The magma chamber under Yellowstone is currently 80km long, 40km wide and 8km deep so if and when an eruption occurs, the caldera that is left will cover roughly the same area as London.

Question 3

When super volcanoes erupt…?

Answer 3

When super volcanoes erupt, they can change many of the characteristics of Earth­- they will eject at least 1,000km3 compared to a normal volcano, which release around 1km3 of ash and rock.

Question 4

How are calderas formed?

Answer 4

Formed by the collapse of a volcano into itself, making a large volcanic crater.
Collapse is usually triggered by the emptying of the magma chamber beneath, as the result of a large volcanic eruption.
The total amount of collapse may be hundreds or thousands of meters.