Prehistoric Volcano Devastated Earth
 

About the same volume as Taupo, but 'our' volcano was more rock and wouldn't have had the same climatic affect.

The Oruanui eruption 26,500 years ago

The largest eruption from Taupo occurred 26,500 years ago producing 300 km³ of ignimbrite, 500 km³ of pumice and ash fall and a unknown volume of material inside the caldera. The Oruanui eruption is thought to have formed the caldera now filled by Lake Taupo, but this large eruption also shows the influence of lake water in its fine grain size and abundant evidence for heavy rain during the eruption. This implies the existence of a large lake prior to the eruption. The Oruanui ignimbrite is seen in many road cuttings about Taupo, draped by the layers of younger tephra. Fine ash from this eruption has been found throughout New Zealand and in many offshore core samples.

Lake Taupo

Lake Taupo is a lake situated in the North Island of New Zealand. With a surface area of 616 square kilometres (238 sq mi), it is the largest lake by surface area in New Zealand, and the largest freshwater lake by surface area in Oceania.
Lake Taupo has a perimeter of approximately 193 kilometres, a deepest point of 186 metres.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Taupo

They're like earth's zits.

...and it's coming your way!

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...otspotsSRP.jpg

Actually as I understand it, Earths crust is moving it's way. Just one more reason we need to get our butts off this planet. Planets are not safe, and its poor species survival strategy to have all of your eggs in one basket.