‘Barren Island’ the only active volcano in South Asia, Incredible place with spectacular landscape

Barren Island is a remote stratovolcano located in the Andaman Islands of India. It is nearly 135 Km northeast of Port Blair and is the only active volcano in South Asia.  This 3-km wide island has a 2-km wide depression that had resulted from massive eruptions in the past era. The first eruption of the volcano took place in 1787. This volcano erupted again in 1991 after 150 years of remaining dormant.

 

The most recent eruptive episode began in January 2017 and then in September 2018. It has included lava flows, explosions, ash plumes, and lava fountaining.

Barren Island lies over the fault whose movement caused the tsunami on December 26, 2004. On the west side of the island is a caldera formed by an explosive eruption in the Pleistocene era. The caldera is 2 kilometers long and takes up the bulk of this tiny island that measures only 3 kilometers across.

Surrounded by water for miles, Barren Island in the Andaman Sea provides magnificent glimpses of nature. Situated at the fault zone of the seismically active Indian and Burmese plates, the uninhabited island is 1.8 million years old. The island provides a place for various large marine creatures like turtles, manta rays, and reef sharks. The sand on the island’s narrow beaches has a deep purple-black appearance, making the island literally amazing.

Also, read- ‘The grand canyon of India’-A hidden gem and ultimate natural wonder in Indian geography

The island is open to visitors, with prior permission from the authority. It’s the only active N-S-trending volcanic arc extending between Sumatra and Burma. The 354-meter-high island is the emergent summit of a volcano that rises from a depth of 2,250 m.

Narcondam Island

There is another volcano on Narcondam Island in the Andaman and Nicobar group of islands. This has been classified as a dormant volcano by the Geological Survey of India. The island is declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for the occurrence of the endemic Narcondam Hornbill, which is found only in Narcondam.

Baratang Mud volcano

Baratang Island in Andaman is famous for its Mud volcanoes. These attract many anxious tourists from all around the world. The Mud Volcano is about 10 minute’s drive from Baratang Island.

There are 11 Mud Volcano’s reported so far in the Andaman Group of Islands. Out of which 8 are located in Baratang and Middle Andaman.

 Source- volcano.si.edu, outlookindia.com, earthobservatory.nasa.gov