The largest known volcano in the World Has Been Discovered In The Philippine Sea

Sea.

What's a caldera?

Laguna de Quiltoa, a caldera in Ecuador. IMAGE: National Geographic

A 'caldera' is a large crater-like feature formed after a volcano eruption, according to National Geographic.

When a volcano erupts, magma is expelled forcefully from within the magma chamber underneath the volcano. Because the structural support that the magma chamber had provided the volcano disappears, it causes the sides and top of the volcano to collapse inward. Calderas often vary in size ranging from 1 to 100 kilometers in diameter.

There is also a type of caldera called 'resurgent caldera.' These occur when large magma chambers underneath the volcano empty in such a way that causes a series of pyroclastic flows, fast moving current of hot gas and volcano matter. Over time, the magma chamber is refilled and the caldera floor is pushed upward, thus the name 'resurgent' which means "risen again."

So, what was discovered?

The marine geophysicists group that discovered the existence of the world's largest caldera consists of New Zealand-based Filipino scientist Jenny Anne Barreto, along with co-authors Ray Wood and John Milsom.

The caldera named 'Apolaki,' which means "giant lord," is based on the Filipino mythical god of the sun and war.

The University of Philippines Marine Science Institute states in a Facebook post that Apolaki Caldera has a diameter of roughly 150 kilometers, more than twice the size of Wyoming's Yellowstone Caldera in the U.S. which is only about 60 km.

The caldera is located at the bottom of the Philippine Sea and its, according to the paper's abstract, "features like a breached rim, intra-caldera benches, and a resurgent dome indicate a multi-phase volcanic history consisting of both quiet and explosive eruptions."

How important is this discovery?

In 2018, Filipino scientists were disheartened after former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque undermined their efforts by commenting that the Philippines would need China's help in order to conduct research on the Benham Rise (officially known as the Philippine Rise).

In an interview with CNN Philippines, UP MSI researcher Jeffrey Maloles emphasized that the Filipino scientists have the capabilities and determination to conduct research and discoveries, it was just the lack of support and funding in the Philippines that caused many to leave.

"We do what we do, to raise awareness on the importance of our seas to food supplies, ecological stability, and physical climate in the country," Maloles said to CNN. "For a field that is underappreciated and doesn't pay much, we do this — without sounding cheesy — para sa bayan (for the country)."

With the discovery of Apolaki Caldera, there's no doubt that Filipino scientists are here to stay and determined to make a change.

Congrats to the Philippines on your amazing discovery! Here's to hoping that there would be many more in the future.

Cover image sourced from Forbes.