A large, explosive volcanic eruption is termed a "Plinian eruption." This type of eruption, named after the Roman scholar Pliny the Elder, is characterized by its explosive force, resulting in the ejection of large columns of gas, ash, and pumice into the atmosphere. Plinian eruptions can dramatically alter landscapes and have significant effects on climate due to the ash and gases released into the atmosphere. These eruptions are typically associated with stratovolcanoes, which are built from the accumulation of viscous lava that can trap gases until a catastrophic release occurs.