Barren Island: Location, Eruptions & Geological Facts
Gajendra Singh Godara
Sep 26, 2025
8
mins read
Amidst the turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea lies Barren Island – home to India’s only active volcano. This tiny (about 3 km wide) uninhabited island looms large in India’s geology. Barren Island has erupted repeatedly since the late 1700s, most recently in September 2025, making it a geological marvel. Scientists and even Navy personnel have witnessed its activity – for example, an Indian Navy ship recorded glowing lava flows during recent eruptions. Today, Barren Island stands as a reminder of India’s dynamic earth processes, combining natural spectacle with UPSC relevance.
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Where is Barren Island Located?
Barren Island sits in the Andaman Sea, roughly 130–140 km northeast of Port Blair (the Andaman capital). The island is part of India’s union territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, on the edge of the Indian Ocean. Geologically, Barren Island lies on the Andaman volcanic arc, where the Indo-Australian Plate subducts beneath the Eurasian (Sunda) Plate. This subduction drives deep-sea volcanism along the arc. In practice, only authorized scientific or tourism vessels visit; no permanent human settlements exist on the island due to its active volcano and harsh terrain.
Geographical Features of Barren Island
Barren Island is a stratovolcano rising from the seafloor. The island itself is roughly 3 km in diameter. It contains a 2 km-wide caldera open to the west, with a central pyroclastic cone (where most eruptions occur). The volcanic cone stands about 354 m above sea level, but the volcano’s base rises roughly 2.25 km from the seafloor. Vegetation is sparse on land – as the name implies, much of Barren Island is literally barren rock and ash.
Despite the “barren” land surface, the island’s waters teem with life. The volcano’s mineral-rich runoff and upwelling support vibrant coral reefs and marine biodiversity around Barren Island. Divers often report healthy coral gardens and manta rays in the clear waters – even as ash occasionally falls like snow over the reefs. These reefs and fish thrive on nutrients from the volcano’s ecosystem.
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Eruption History of Barren Volcano
Barren Island has many historical eruptions. The first recorded eruption was in 1787. Throughout the 19th century, it erupted intermittently (e.g. late 1700s and mid-1800s).
After a long quiet spell (over 150 years), Barren Island re-awoke in 1991. Since then it has been active in spurts: eruptions were reported in 1994–95, 2005–07, 2017–2019, and again in 2022.
These events filled parts of the caldera with new lava and changed the volcano’s profile. In fact, satellite data show that lava flows from past eruptions have reached the sea along the island’s west coast.
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Significance of Barren Island
Scientific Research: Barren Island is a living laboratory for plate tectonics and volcanology. Scientists (CSIR-NIO, GSI, universities) have studied its eruptions and rocks to understand subduction volcanism. Geophysical institutes monitor Barren Island via satellites and ships to learn about magma systems under the Indian Ocean.
Marine Biodiversity & Tourism: The volcano indirectly enriches local ecosystems. The mineral-rich waters around Barren Island support vibrant coral reefs, fish, and manta rays, making it a popular (though remote) dive destination. The uniqueness of diving in view of an active volcano draws eco-tourists. (All visits are regulated – only specialized boat tours and research vessels can approach.)
Disaster Preparedness: Barren Island reminds planners of India’s seismic risk. It sits on the same subduction zone that caused the devastating 2004 tsunami. Geologists note that faults near Barren Island ruptured in 2004. Studying the volcano can improve understanding of regional earthquake hazards.
Way Forward
India continues to improve volcano monitoring around Barren Island. The Geological Survey of India, National Centre for Seismology and oceanographic institutes track seismicity and thermal anomalies (through satellites and sea buoys). For example, after the 2025 eruptions, officials noted that monitoring was intensified using satellite imagery and meteorological data.
In the future, controlled ecotourism development could bring awareness (with strict safety protocols), while conservation efforts must balance preserving the volcanic landscape with protecting its unique wildlife. Overall, sustained research – from coral scientists to geologists – will keep Barren Island a well-monitored volcano.
UPSC Previous Year Questions
Q. Consider the following statements:
The Barren Island volcano is an active volcano located in Indian territory.
Barren Island lies about 140 km east of Great Nicobar.
The last time the Barren Island volcano erupted was in 1991 and it has remained inactive since then.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1 only
2 and 3
3 only
1 and 3
Answer: (a)
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Barren Island stands out as India’s sole active volcano and a living reminder of our geologically active subcontinent. From its first recorded eruption in 1787 to its recent activity in 2025, the volcano has shaped an otherwise desolate island. Ultimately, Barren Island is a small but mighty symbol of India’s dynamic earth: barren on the surface, yet rich in geological lessons and natural life.
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