India's Sole Active Volcano Erupts Twice in One Week
India’s only active volcano, located on the remote Barren Island in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago, has shown a dramatic burst of activity, erupting twice in a single week. The minor eruptions, which occurred on September 13 and September 20, have drawn the attention of scientists, particularly as they followed recent seismic activity in a geopolitically sensitive region.
A Tectonic Nudge Awakens the Giant
The latest volcanic events are believed to be directly linked to a magnitude 4.2 earthquake that struck the area on September 18. According to experts from the National Centre for Seismology, the tremors from this earthquake likely disturbed the volcano's deep magma chamber, located 18-20 kilometers beneath the surface. This "shaking intensity" is thought to have triggered what is being described as a "premature magmatic eruption."
This sequence of events highlights the volatile nature of the region. Barren Island sits on the active West Andaman Fault, a subduction zone where the Indian Plate is continuously sliding beneath the Sunda Plate. This is the same fault system responsible for the catastrophic 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, making any unusual geological activity in the area a subject of intense scientific scrutiny.
History of Sporadic Activity
After remaining dormant for more than two centuries, the Barren Island volcano dramatically reawakened in 1991. Since then, it has exhibited a pattern of sporadic, intermittent activity, with notable eruptions recorded in 2005, 2017, and 2022. The two most recent events are the fifth and sixth recorded eruptions since its 1991 reawakening, suggesting a more active phase in its geological cycle.
Vigilant Monitoring in an Uninhabited Zone
As its name suggests, Barren Island is uninhabited and has minimal vegetation, meaning the recent eruptions pose no direct threat to human populations. The nearest major settlement, Port Blair, is approximately 140 kilometers away and is considered safe from any immediate danger. Access to the island is restricted to protect its fragile ecosystem.
Despite the lack of direct risk, the volcano's unpredictable nature and its location in a seismic hotspot demand constant observation. The Geological Survey of India (GSI) and the National Centre for Seismology maintain vigilant satellite surveillance of the island. This continuous monitoring is crucial, as even minor eruptions can alter the landscape and provide vital data about the immense and restless geological forces at work deep beneath the Earth's surface.
