The origin and development of erosion-modified, erosion-transformed, and er
osion-induced depressions in volcanic terrains are reviewed and systematize
d. A proposed classification, addressing terminology issues, considers stru
ctural, geomorphic, and climatic factors that contribute to the topographic
modification of summit or flank depressions on volcanoes. Breaching of a c
losed crater or caldera generated by volcanic or non-volcanic processes res
ults in an outlet valley. Under climates-with up to similar to 2000-2500 mm
annual rainfall, craters, and calderas are commonly drained by a single ou
tlet. The outlet valley can maintain its dominant downcutting position beca
use it quickly enlarges its drainage basin by capturing the area of the pri
mary depression. Multi-drained volcanic depressions can form if special fac
tors, e.g., high-rate geological processes, such as faulting or glaciation,
suppress fluvial erosion. Normal (fluvial) erosion-modified volcanic depre
ssions the circular rim of which is derived from the original rim are terme
d erosion craters or erosion calderas, depending on the pre-existing depres
sion. The resulting landform should be classed as an erosion-induced volcan
ic depression if the degradation of a cluster of craters produces a single-
drained, irregular-shaped basin, or if flank erosion results in a quasi-clo
sed depression. Under humid climates, craters and calderas degrade at a fas
ter rate. Mostly at subtropical and tropical ocean-island and island-are vo
lcanoes, their erosion results in so-called amphitheater valleys that devel
op under heavy rainfall (> similar to 2500 mm/year), rainstorms, and high-e
levation differences. Structural and lithological control, and groundwater
in ocean islands, may in turn preform and guide development of high-energy
valleys through rockfalls, landsliding, mud-flows, and mass wasting. Given
the intense erosion, amphitheater valleys are able to breach a primary depr
ession-from several directions and degrade the summit region at a high rate
. Occasionally, amphitheater valleys may create summit depressions without
a pre-existing crater or caldera. The resulting, negative landforms, which
may drain in several directions and the primary origin of which is commonly
unrecognizable, should be included-in erosion-transformed volcanic depress
ions.