The Kikai Caldera is a large submarine volcanic caldera located south of Japan's Kyushu Island.

It is associated with major prehistoric volcanic eruptions.

Key Pointers

  • Category: Geography / Geology
  • Location: South of Kyushu, Japan
  • Submarine volcanic system.
  • A caldera is a large depression formed when a volcano's magma chamber is emptied or partially emptied during a major eruption, causing collapse.
  • Associated with the Kikai volcanic system.
  • Important for understanding:
    • Super-eruptive volcanic events
    • Volcanic hazards
    • Plate tectonics
  • Japan lies in the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Prelims Focus: Kikai → Japan → submarine caldera → volcanic hazard.