Apolaki Caldera
The Apolaki Caldera is a volcanic crater with a diameter of 150 kilometers (93 mi), making it the world's largest caldera. It is located within the Benham Rise (Philippine Rise) and was discovered in 2019 by Jenny Anne Barretto, a Filipina marine geophysicist and her team. The name "Apolaki" means "giant lord" in Filipino. [1][2] The Rise has been known to the people of Catanduanes as Kalipung-awan since pre-colonial times, which literally means 'loneliness from an isolated place'.[3][4]
Apolaki Crater | |
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Apolaki Crater Apolaki Crater Apolaki Crater (Philippines) | |
Highest point | |
Coordinates | 16°30′N 124°45′E |
Geography | |
Location | Philippine Sea |
Country | Philippines |
Geology | |
Mountain type | Volcanic caldera |
Geological history
Gravimetric analysis shows that the Benham Rise, as the submarine mountain massif is named, is made up of a nine miles thick layer of magmatic and volcanic rocks. Rock samples ages ranges from 47.9 to 26 million years, when volcanic activity made up the massif.[5]
References
- Mangosing, Frances (October 21, 2019). "Filipina scientist discovers 'world's largest crater' in Philippine Rise". Inquirer.net. Archived from the original on December 10, 2019. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
- "Filipina scientist discovers world's largest crater on Benham Rise". ABS-CBN News. October 21, 2019. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
- "On untranslatable words from Philippine languages". cnn.
- Avendaño, Christine O. "Duterte renames Benham Rise Philippine Rise". newsinfo.inquirer.net.
- Bressan, David (October 21, 2019). "The World's Largest Caldera Lays Hidden In The Philippine Sea". Forbes. Retrieved October 22, 2019.