What is the name of the large volcanic caldera in Tanzania?

The large volcanic caldera in Tanzania is the Ngorongoro Crater. It lies in northeastern Tanzania within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a protected landscape and UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The feature formed when a huge volcano erupted and its summit collapsed inward roughly two to three million years ago. The resulting caldera is about 610 meters deep, while its floor covers approximately 260 square kilometers. Estimates suggest the original volcano may have stood between 4,500 and 5,800 meters high.

Ngorongoro is often called the world’s largest inactive, intact, and unfilled volcanic caldera. Its enclosed grasslands, forests, wetlands, and alkaline Lake Magadi support large populations of wildlife, including lions, elephants, hippopotamuses, and flamingos.

The answer is sometimes confused with Tanzania’s other volcanic features, such as Olmoti and Empakaai craters, or with famous calderas elsewhere, including Yellowstone and Lake Toba. Ngorongoro is distinctive because its geological structure and rich wildlife ecosystem occupy the same enormous collapsed volcanic basin.