caldera

[kal-der-uh, kawl-] /kælˈdɛr ə, kɔl-/
noun
1.
a large, basinlike depression resulting from the explosion or collapse of the center of a volcano.
Origin
1860-65; < Spanish Caldera, name of a crater on Canary Islands, literally, cauldron < Late Latin caldāria, noun use of feminine of caldārius of warming; see caldarium
Can be confused
caldera, fumarole, geyser, volcano.
Examples from the web for caldera
  • The harbor is part of the crater, or caldera, that was formed as a result of the eruption.
  • In good weather it is a radiant dark blue, and the forms and colors of the caldera walls are reflected in perfect clarity.
British Dictionary definitions for caldera

caldera

/kælˈdɛərə; ˈkɔːldərə/
noun
1.
a large basin-shaped crater at the top of a volcano, formed by the collapse or explosion of the cone See cirque
Word Origin
C19: from Spanish Caldera (literally: cauldron), name of a crater in the Canary Islands
Word Origin and History for caldera
n.

"cavity on the summit of a volcano," 1865, from Spanish caldera "cauldron, kettle," from Latin caldarium, caldarius "pertaining to warming," from calidus "warm, hot" (see calorie).

caldera in Science
caldera
  (kāl-dâr'ə, -dîr'ə, käl-)   
A large, roughly circular crater left after a volcanic explosion or the collapse of a volcanic cone. Calderas are typically much wider in diameter than the openings of the vents from which they were formed.