What was the largest volcanic explosion ever to occur?
Wayne Parsons
Hi Wayne,
I'm not sure if there is any agreement on the largest eruption ever. Almost
certainly it was some pre-historic eruption from one of the large rhyolite
calderas that occur in association with subduction zones. Some candidates are
the Toba eruption in Sumatra, the Taupo eruption in New Zealand, the Oruanui
eruption in New Zealand, the Long Valley (Calif.) eruption that produced the
Bishop tuff, or perhaps some Yellowstone eruption. Each of these covered huge
areas with ash and if it were to happen today would be catastrophic.
Probably the largest eruption since we've been paying close attention would be
that of Tambora in Indonesia in 1815.
I hope these help to answer your question.
Sincerely,
Scott Rowland, University of Hawaii
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