Barren Island

News: Recently, active volcano on Barren Island has erupted not once, but twice within a week.

About Barren Island

• Location: It is located in the Andaman Sea, approximately 138 kilometres northeast of Sri Vijaya Puram.
• Status: It is uninhabited island characterized by rugged volcanic cones, ash deposits, and sparse vegetation.
• It is India’s only active volcano and South Asia’s only confirmed active volcanic site.
• Geological Origin: It is formed at the convergent boundary of the Indian and Burmese tectonic plates.
• Age: Oldest lava flows date back about 1.6 million years on oceanic crust.
• Size: The island covers an area of approximately three square kilometres.
• Its highest point reaches 354 metres above sea level.
• The volcano features a two-kilometre-wide caldera, which was formed by the collapse of an earlier volcanic cone.
• The first recorded eruption occurred in 1787. Subsequent notable eruptions took place in 1991, from 2005 to 2007, in 2017, in 2022, and most recently in 2025.
• These eruptions have generally been of low intensity, with a Volcanic Explosivity Index of 2, producing mild lava flows and ash clouds.
• The terrain is harsh and supports minimal vegetation. Past eruptions have significantly reduced local bird populations and other fauna, leading to decreased biodiversity in the area.
• Importance: Geologically, this volcano is important as it is the only active subaerial volcano between Sumatra and Myanmar.
• It provides valuable scientific insights into plate tectonics and the evolution of oceanic crust.
• Barren Island acts as a living laboratory for scientists studying volcanic activity and its impact on the environment.
• Its strategic location in the Andaman Sea also enhances India’s maritime presence in the region.