India’s Only Active Volcano Erupts Twice in One Week

India’s only active volcano has erupted twice within a span of eight days, making headlines across the country and beyond.

The rare phenomenon took place on the uninhabited Barren Island, situated in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Officials confirmed that the first eruption occurred on September 13, followed by another minor eruption on September 20.

Both were reported as low-intensity and did not cause any immediate threat to surrounding regions or maritime activity.

The second eruption came just two days after a magnitude 4.2 earthquake struck the Andaman Sea on September 18.

Experts say the proximity of these events highlights the region’s sensitivity to seismic activity.

Barren Island is located around 140 kilometres by sea from Port Blair.

As the only active volcano in South Asia, it holds immense geological importance and has long fascinated scientists and explorers alike.

The island lies at the juncture of the Indian and Burmese tectonic plates, an area prone to both volcanic and seismic activity.

Its remote location and volatile nature make it both a scientific treasure and a site of caution.

A dramatic video of one of the recent eruptions was shared on X by Sansad TV, sparking online attention.

Captured from an Indian Navy warship, the footage shows lava bursting from the volcano and thick clouds of smoke billowing into the sky.

According to records held by the Andaman and Nicobar administration, the first known eruption of Barren Island dates back to 1787.

Since then, it has experienced several smaller eruptions in 1991, 2005, 2017, and 2022, before the latest minor outbursts this September.

Although people are not permitted to set foot on the island due to safety risks, Barren Island remains a major attraction for visitors.

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Tourists and researchers often view it from the sea, where its stark black ash-covered landscape creates a striking contrast to the pristine white beaches found elsewhere in the Andamans.

The surrounding waters are known for their remarkable clarity and vibrant marine life, making the area a favourite among divers.

Despite the hostile terrain above ground, life flourishes underwater with coral reefs and exotic species drawing adventurers from around the world.

The island itself is uninhabited, hosting only feral goats, rodents, bats, and a small selection of bird species.

This minimal wildlife, combined with the ashen beaches, underlines the island’s unique environment shaped by centuries of volcanic activity.

With its fiery eruptions and forbidding landscape, Barren Island continues to remind the world of nature’s raw power.

At the same time, it remains an enigmatic destination where danger and beauty coexist, captivating those who dare to witness it from a distance.