Gakkel Ridge Caldera, also known as Gakkel Caldera, is a Pleistocene volcanic caldera located on the Gakkel Ridge beneath the Arctic Ocean, off the northern coast of Siberia. It erupted approximately 1.1 million years ago, with an estimated eruptive volume of 3,000 km3 (720 cu mi). This eruption places it at VEI-8 on the Volcanic Explosivity Index, making it one of the most explosive volcanoes on Earth during the Pleistocene along with Yellowstone Caldera and Lake Toba. It is the only known supervolcano located directly on a mid-ocean ridge.[1]

Gakkel Ridge Caldera
Gakkel Ridge Caldera is a noticeable oblong hole-like depression in the Gakkel Ridge, located in the upper right part of this map.
Highest point
Coordinates81°31′N 120°00′E / 81.517°N 120.000°E / 81.517; 120.000
Dimensions
Length80 km (50 mi)
Width40 km (25 mi)
Geography
Map
LocationGakkel Ridge, Arctic Ocean
Geology
Last eruption1.1 Ma

References

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  1. ^ Piskarev, Alexey; Elkina, Daria (10 April 2017). "Giant caldera in the Arctic Ocean: Evidence of the catastrophic eruptive event". Scientific Reports. 7 (1): 46248. Bibcode:2017NatSR...746248P. doi:10.1038/srep46248. PMC 5385544. PMID 28393928.