Caldera

Community hiking

Caldera

The term 'caldera' comes from the Latin language and means 'cooking pot.' It is formed by the collapse of part of the volcano into the empty magma chamber created during a large volcanic eruption. If enough magma is erupted, the emptied chamber will not be able to support the weight of the volcanic mountain created, fractures will form around the edge of the chamber, usually in a roughly circular shape. As the magma chamber empties, the center of the volcano within the ring fractures begins to collapse within, forming a caldera. The walk to the caldera is mild hill climb. The views on top are breathtaking. There are gardens inside the caldera and local people have even started planting trees. The locals also believe that the caldera was formed as a result of volcanicity, there are no myths around the formation although they do not explain in good detail. That the hill used to be covered by forest and inhabited by antelope species but the forest was cut down to pave way for crop farming. The site is good for a stop for a rest area with a simple shelter, a urinal and some drinks (water, juice, coffee and tea). It is also a picnic site where people spend time and have packed lunch as they listen to the stories.