Back فوهة بركانية Arabic Cráter volcánicu AST Vulkan krateri Azerbaijani Вулканічны кратар Byelorussian Вулканичен кратер Bulgarian আগ্নেয় গিরিখাত Bengali/Bangla Cràter volcànic Catalan ТӀапломан кратер CE Sopečný kráter Czech Crater folcanig Welsh
A volcanic crater is a circular depression in the ground caused by volcanic activity.[1]
It is usually a circular basin. When active, there is a vent or vents inside it. From these magma erupts as gases, lava, and ejecta. A crater can be huge, and sometimes deep.
During certain types of gigantic eruptions, the volcano's magma chamber may empty enough for an area above it to subside. This dropped surface crater is called a caldera.
- ↑ PhysicalGeography.net, Glossary of Terms: "Crater"; retrieved 2012-6-10.