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Did you know India has only one active volcano? It is the Barren Island volcano. Volcanoes like the Barren Island volcano add to India’s geological tapestry. They are also woven with legacies. In India, most of the volcanoes are dormant, and some are even extinct. For example, the Deccan Traps. The Barren Island is not only scientifically significant. It also adds beauty to nature and has a thriving marine ecosystem that attracts travelers. This article covers everything you need to know about the active volcano in India.
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Top Active Volcanoes in India
Barren Island is the only active volcano in India. However, we have also included the. Baratang Island to the list. The reason? This volcano does not erupt in the traditional sense. However, it periodically releases gases and semi-liquid mud.
Barren Island
The only active volcano in India is the Barren Island. This volcano is located in the Andaman Sea in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The volcano last erupted in 2022. The Barren Island has a submerged volcanic base with a 354-meter peak. The volcano is part of the volcanic arc created by the Indian-Burmese plate subduction. However, despite the eruption, the Island is home to several endemic species. It has nutrient-rich water that is ideal for diving. The Geological Survey of India is responsible for studying the volcano for hazard assessment.
Baratang Island (Mud Volcano)
The Baratang Island is a mud volcano located in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. We have included them in the list of active volcanoes in India because they are a unique natural wonder. This volcano erupts small pools of mud and releases natural gases like methane. The volcano was last active in 2005. It is less harmful than other traditional volcanoes. However, it is considered a geological site for tourism.
What Are the 7 Volcanoes in India?
India has a total of six volcanoes. However, only one of them can be considered as a proper active volcano in India. The seven main volcanoes of India are as follows-
- Barren Island (Active)- This is an active volcano located in the Andaman Sea. Its earliest eruptions date back to 1787.
- Narcondam Island (Dormant)– This volcano last erupted in 1861 It is also located in the Andaman Sea.
- Baratang Island (Mud Volcano)- This is a mud volcano that has periodic gas emissions.
- Deccan Plateau (Extinct)- The last volcanic eruptions happened about 66 million years ago. Therefore, it is called an extinct volcano. The volcano spans over 500,000 square kilometers and covers much of central and southern India.
- Dhinodhar Hills (Extinct)- This volcano is located in Gujarat and its last eruption happened about ~500 million years ago.
- Dhosi Hill (Dormant)– This dormant volcano is located in Haryana and is linked to ancient legends. The volcano was active millions of years ago during the Precambrian era.
- Loktak Lake- This is not a volcano. There are no recent or historical eruptions recorded.
How Many Volcanoes Are Active in India?
The only active volcano in India is the Barren Island. These are some fun facts about the Barren Island volcano-
- It is part of the Sunda volcanic arc, which consists of several volcanoes in Southeast Asia.
- The volcano first erupted in 1787, and its last eruption was in 2017.
- The Barren Island is uninhabited by humans.
- The Island has some unique wildlife. For example, flying foxes (giant bats), rats, goats, and a few species of birds
- The waters around the Island are rich in marine life and are popular for scuba diving.
- Indian nationals need special permits to visit. Foreign tourists are not allowed on the Island.
The Baratang Island is a mud volcano. Therefore, it is not categorized as a traditional volcano. The reason? It erupts mud and not lava.
Which Is the Largest Volcano in India?
The largest volcano in India is the Deccan Trap. It is located on the Deccan Plateau in west-central India. This volcanic structure covers about ~500,000 km². Nevertheless, the largest active volcano in India is the Barren Island. This volcano rises 354 meters above sea level. The contract between the Deccan Traps, which is extinct and the Barren Island is wide.
What is the Top 1 Most Active Volcano in the World?
The world’s most active volcano is located in Hawaii, USA. It is located on the Big Island and is a Shield volcano. The Kīlauea Volcano has had nonstop eruptions from 1983 to 2018. This is the longest continuous eruption in history. Even after the 2018 eruption, Kīlauea remains intermittently active. It has a series of eruptions in 2020, 2021, 2023, and even 2024. Therefore, this is one of the most studied volcanoes in the world by the US Geological Survey (USGS).
Where Is the Only Active Volcano in India?
The only active volcano in India is Bareen Island. This volcano is located in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. That is 135 km northeast of Port Blair. Its remote oceanic setting is different from the Indian mainland’s geological landscape. Since the volcano is isolated, it is popularly studied. Due to its geographical isolation, the impact of eruptions does not affect India.
How Hot Is Lava?
Lava is what flows out of an active volcano. A lava temperature is estimated to be between 700°C and 1,200°C, depending on the chemical composition. Basaltic lava is the most common in shield volcanoes and tends to be hatter. This lava is fluid .. By understanding the temperature of a volcano, it is possible to determine the eruption style, flow behavior, and the type of volcanic rocks formed.
Can We Visit Barren Island?
Yes. Indian nationals are allowed to visit the Barren Islands. You can see the volcano from a safe distance. The volcano is open for vision between October and March. Ferry tours and aerial excursions help you to get stunning views of the volcano. However, it is important to know that tourism is regulated. Foreigners are not permitted to enter the Barren Island.
When was the Last Volcano Erupted in India?
The active volcano in India is Barren Island. The last volcanic eruption ever recorded in India is also from the Barren Island. The last eruption happened in 2022. The ash plumes and lava flows were recorded during the eruption.
Which City Is Known as Volcano City?
The Pompeii City was known as the Volcano City. This was a city that came under the Volcanic eruptions of 79 AD. Pompeii was a thriving Roman city located near the Gulf of Naples in Italy. The eruptions destroyed the city. However, its ruins were preserved. This allows us a glimpse into the daily life in ancient Rome. The same eruption destroyed other cities like Herculaneum, Stabiae, Torre Annunziata,
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FAQs – Active Volcano in India
India has two active volcanoes. That is, the Barren Island, and the Baratang Island. The Baratang Island is a mud volcano. Therefore, at times it’s not counted under the list of active volcanoes.
Cuexcomate is an inactive volcano, and is the world’s smallest volcano. The volcano is 1,020 ft tall and is located in Puebla City, Mexico.
No. Geysers erupt water and steam. They don’t erupt rock and ash. Therefore, they are not categorized as a volcano. They are physically small and erupt more often than a volcano
No. Lava won’t kill you, but it will cause significant damage if it briefly touches you. You can have severe injuries. However, if you fall in and can’t get out you won’t survive.
No. Lava cannot melt diamonds because it is not hot enough. The Lava temperatures are between 700-1200°C. This is lower than the melting point required for diamonds. The melting point for diamonds is 3927°C.
Related Reads
These were the facts about the active volcano in India. If you find it fascinating and wish to read more such interesting facts, then stay tuned to the General Knowledge page of Leverage Edu.
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