Supervolcanos
In order to assess the influence of volcanic eruptions upon the atmosphere, the volcanic explosivity index is used (VEI). This index defines the eruption force of the volcano on the assumption of volume of the erupted products (tephra) and the height of ash column.
Range of changes: from zero – for the eruptions, with the emission volume of less than 10 thousand m³ (104 m³), to eight – for the eruptions, emitting into the atmosphere more than 1,000 cubic kilometers (1,012 cubic meters) of ash and ash column of more than 25 km in height.
The eruptions with VEI magnitude of 6 and more can cause the effect of volcanic winter – marked fall in temperature on a planetary scale.
Table 1 – Activity of supervolcanoes.
| Name | VEI | Continent | Country | Location | Last eruption | Last activity | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High Island | 8 | Asia | China | Hong Kong | ~140 million years ago | No data | |
| Island Park Caldera | 8 | North-America | USA | State of Idaho | 2.1 million years ago | November 19 2015 08:56 PM | |
| La Garita Caldera | 8 | North-America | USA | State of Colorado | ~27.8 million years ago | No data | |
| Lake Taupo | 8 | Australia – New-Zealand | New Zealand | North Island | ~26,500 years ago | November 30 2015 06:43 AM | |
| Lake Toba | 8 | Indonesian Archipelago | Indonesia | Northern Sumatra | ~74,000 years ago | October 21 2015 09:04 PM | |
| Whakamaru | 8 | Australia – New-Zealand | New Zealand | North Island | ~254,000 years ago | November 29 2015 01:05 PM | |
| Yellowstone Caldera | 8 | North-America | USA | State of Wyoming | 640,000 years ago | November 24 2015 11:06 PM | |
| Aira Caldera | 7 | Asia | Japan | Island of Kyushu | ~22,000 years ago | October 02 2015 07:09 PM | |
| Baekdu Mountain | 7 | Asia | China | The border North Korea and China | ~969 CE | No data | |
| Campi Flegrei | 7 | Europe | Italy | Naples | ~39,280 years ago | November 18 2015 10:52 AM | |
| Kikai Caldera | 7 | Asia | Japan | Osumi Islands, Kagoshima Prefecture | ~6,300 years ago | August 17 2015 11:40 AM | |
| Laacher See | 7 | Europe | Germany | Rhineland-Palatinate | ~12,900 years ago | October 21 2015 11:02 AM | |
| Long Valley Caldera | 7 | North-America | USA | State of California | ~760,000 years ago | November 30 2015 08:56 AM | |
| Mount Aso | 7 | Asia | Japan | Island of Kyushu, Kumamoto Prefecture | ~80,000 years ago | October 02 2015 07:09 PM | |
| Mount Tambora | 7 | Indonesian Archipelago | Indonesia | Sumbawa Island | 1815 | November 20 2015 04:08 PM | |
| Reporoa Caldera | 7 | Australia – New-Zealand | New Zealand | Taupo Volcanic Zone | 230,000 years ago | November 29 2015 01:05 PM | |
| Santorini Volcano | 7 | Europe | Greece | Island of Thera | 1927 | November 24 2015 07:47 AM |
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