Volcano Explosivity Index (VEI)

The Volcano Explosivity Index (VEI) is a scale that measures how powerful a volcanic eruption is. It considers factors like the amount of volcanic material ejected, eruption cloud height, and the eruption’s duration. The scale ranges from 0 to 8, with higher numbers indicating more explosive and larger eruptions. For example, a small eruption might be VEI 1, while the most massive eruptions, like the one that formed the Yellowstone caldera, are VEI 8. The VEI helps scientists compare eruptions and understand their potential impacts on the environment and climate.