Manila Bulletin
Filipina scientist, 2 others discover what could be world's largest caldera in Benham Rise
Filipina scientist, 2 others discover what could be world's largest caldera in Benham Rise
Filipina scientist, 2 others discover what could be world's largest caldera in Benham Rise
Published Oct 22, 2019 08:40 am
By Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz
A New Zealand-based Filipina scientist has recently published a research of what could be the world’s largest caldera in Benham Rise.
(fis-net.com / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
In a research entitled “Benham Rise unveiled: Morphology and structure of an Eocene large igneous province in the West Philippine Basin,” marine geophysicist Jenny Barretto, together with Ray Wood and John Milsom, discovered a 150-kilometer diameter caldera named “Apolaki Caldera.”
The University of the Philippines-Marine Science Institute said the earth's largest caldera, like the Yellowstone, is only about 60 km.
It added that the size is comparable to shield calderas in Mars called the Olympus Mons which is 80 km by 65 km, and in Venus named Sacajawea which is 150 km by 105 km.
Caldera is a large volcanic crater, especially one formed by a major eruption leading to the collapse of the mouth of the volcano.
Based on the research, “a multi-beam bathymetry with almost 100 percent coverage has revealed the morphology of Benham Rise for the first time.”
One of the features was that the “platform is surmounted by a crest exhibiting caldera morphology at an average depth of ~2,500 km.”
“The crest is named Apolaki Caldera and may be the world's largest known caldera with a diameter of ~150 km,” it said.
It added that the features of the Benham Rise are “like a breached rim, intra-caldera benches, and a resurgent dome (that) indicate a multi-phase volcanic history consisting of both quiet and explosive eruptions.”
The research described Benham Rise as an oceanic large igneous province at the western margin of the Philippine Sea.
Benham Rise, also known as the Philippine Rise, is a 13-million hectare undersea region, which in 2012 was declared by the United Nations as part of the country’s extended continental shelf.
(fis-net.com / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
In a research entitled “Benham Rise unveiled: Morphology and structure of an Eocene large igneous province in the West Philippine Basin,” marine geophysicist Jenny Barretto, together with Ray Wood and John Milsom, discovered a 150-kilometer diameter caldera named “Apolaki Caldera.”
The University of the Philippines-Marine Science Institute said the earth's largest caldera, like the Yellowstone, is only about 60 km.
It added that the size is comparable to shield calderas in Mars called the Olympus Mons which is 80 km by 65 km, and in Venus named Sacajawea which is 150 km by 105 km.
Caldera is a large volcanic crater, especially one formed by a major eruption leading to the collapse of the mouth of the volcano.
Based on the research, “a multi-beam bathymetry with almost 100 percent coverage has revealed the morphology of Benham Rise for the first time.”
One of the features was that the “platform is surmounted by a crest exhibiting caldera morphology at an average depth of ~2,500 km.”
“The crest is named Apolaki Caldera and may be the world's largest known caldera with a diameter of ~150 km,” it said.
It added that the features of the Benham Rise are “like a breached rim, intra-caldera benches, and a resurgent dome (that) indicate a multi-phase volcanic history consisting of both quiet and explosive eruptions.”
The research described Benham Rise as an oceanic large igneous province at the western margin of the Philippine Sea.
Benham Rise, also known as the Philippine Rise, is a 13-million hectare undersea region, which in 2012 was declared by the United Nations as part of the country’s extended continental shelf.