Major Volcanoes of India

Numerous large volcanoes, each with distinct features and geological significance, may be found in India. These volcanoes, which range in size from the enormous Deccan Traps in Maharashtra to the active Barren Island in the Andaman Sea, indicate the wide range of volcanic activity present in the nation. India's geological diversity is increased by the existence of volcanic features like the mud volcanoes in Baratang and volcanic plugs like Dhinodhar Hill in Gujarat.

Features of Major Volcanoes of India

Here are the descriptions of major volcanoes of India −

Barren Island

A small island called Barren Island is situated in the Andaman Sea, some 135 kilometers from Port Blair, the nation's capital. The Island is one of the few sites in India where there are no inhabited areas and the volcano is still active. The only known active volcano in the Indian subcontinent, as well as the only one in a chain of volcanoes that stretches from Sumatra to Myanmar, is this one. The Island is also recognized as the hottest place in Andaman and Nicobar, in this active Volcano. It is less well-known than the other islands in Andaman and Nicobar. The first eruption took place in the seventeenth century, while the most recent one was in 2017.

On the border of the Indian and Burmese tectonic plates, this volcanic island is situated in the middle of a volcanic belt. In addition to volcanic seamounts like Alcock and Sewell, the region also has Narcondam Island, a dormant volcano. A 2 km wide caldera that was created by the Pleistocene collapse of an early cone of a stratovolcano contains and surrounds an active polygenetic cinder cone, which has been the site of all historical and contemporary eruptions.

A crack in the caldera wall, also known as the relic of the ancient volcanic cone, is located to the west, and it surrounds the island. The primitive volcano, which is located 2,250 meters below sea level and has an elevation of 353 meters, is mostly submerged. The island has an overall surface area of 8.34 km2 (3.22 sq mi), and it has a diameter of 3 km. Basalt and andesite are the two types of rocks, and activity began in late 2022.

Narcondam Island

In the Andaman Islands, in the Bay of Bengal, Narcondam Island is a 6.8 km2 oceanic island of volcanic origin that is situated around 240 km northeast of Port Blair. Being an isolated island, the boundaries are unmistakably delineated. The island isn't very big; it just has a 7.6 square kilometer surface area. By definition, it is a dormant volcano, according to the Indian Geological Survey. Barren Island, an island with an active volcano, is located further to the south-west.

Nearly 1,300 miles separate Narcondam Island from Vishakhapatnam, which is located on the Indian peninsula, while 260 miles separate Narcondam Island from Burma. The East Volcano Islands contain it. The island is tiny, covering only 7.63 km2. The island is mostly covered in trees. The island was created by a volcano, which until reports of "mud and smoke" being spewed from the volcano on June 8, 2005, had not been known to have been active recently.

It is believed that the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake forced magma to shift underground and that this movement may be connected to the current activity. If the rumors are true, Narcondam's scientific status would be changed to active. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands' easternmost point is located on Narcondam Island.

Deccan Traps

The Deccan Traps, a vast, mountainous plateau in western India, were created when molten lava solidified and changed into rock. It has the size of a sizable shield volcano and is one of the largest volcanic landforms on Earth. When lava from deep below the Earth rose to the surface 66 million years ago, the Deccan Traps were formed. The volcanic layers are over two kilometers thick in some areas of the Deccan Traps, making this the second-largest volcanic eruption to ever occur on land.

The Deccan Traps may have originally encompassed 1,500,000 square kilometers. This volume rests over the Indian Shield of the Archean age, which is most likely the lithology the province traversed during eruption. The main Deccan, the Malwa Plateau, the Mandla Lobe, and the Saurashtran Plateau are the four sub provinces that make up the province. It is believed that the original lava flow area may have been as huge as 1.5 million km², or about half the size of contemporary India.

Baratang Mud Volcano

The Great Andaman Chain includes the 242.6 square kilometre island of Baratang. It is one of the largest islands in the group, which is a closely packed archipelago in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal. Middle Andaman is to the north, with South Andaman to the south. Baratang Island offers stunning natural beauty and a variety of wildlife viewing opportunities. The Mud Volcano on Baratang Island is a well-known landmark and unique to India. It is a tiny mud puddle that is boiling, therefore it is interesting to see.

While some people find the science behind it fascinating, others view it as a magnificent natural wonder. If you really want to see something unique in the Andaman Islands, you must visit this location. Take a moment to picture yourself near a volcano. These lava flows all across the island can even be crossed by hiking and walking. These mysterious wonders of nature were formed a number of years ago. They emit natural gases like methane as blasts rather than erupting hot molten lava.

Dhinodhar Hill

In Gujarat, India's Kutch District, Nakhatrana Taluka, Dhinodhar Hills are close to Nani Aral Village. A popular tourist and religious site is Dhinodhar Hill. At an elevation of 386 meters, Dhinodhar Hill is a volcanic plug that rises above the surrounding sandstone. It is made of relatively recent, very fine-grained, black to dark grey, mostly aphyric (largely without phenocrysts), aphanitic rock, and it exhibits several nearly vertical, dike-like tabular intrusions with well-developed columnar jointing and a roughly circular ring breached to the east. The eroded remnants of a subvolcanic intrusion that was erected during the Deccan Traps make up Dhinodhar, which is not a vent in and of itself.

Dhosi Hill

At the northwest tip of the Aravalli Mountain range, Dhosi Hill, a lone extinct volcano, is a significant site from the Vedic era. The Indian states of Rajasthan and Haryana are separated by Dhosi Hill. Its height from the surrounding lands ranges from around 345 to 470 meters, and its distance from sea level is 740 meters. The hill has all the physical characteristics of an ideal volcanic hill, including a clearly defined crater, lava that is still on the surface, and a perfect conical view from the top.

Tosham Hills

With an average elevation of 207 meters, Tosham Hill Volcano is an extinct volcano. In the Bhiwani region of Haryana, India, there is an igneous rock formation that is a part of the Aravalli Mountain Range. Tosham Hill is easily accessible by car and is completely safe. The outer ring of a fallen chamber from an extinct volcano is still present at the Tosham hill volcano, which is located in the Aravalli Craton. An eroded ring dike of extinct volcanoes, Khanak-Tosham and other geologic provinces have an oval shape.

List of Major Volcanoes of India

Here is a table showcasing major volcanoes in India, their location, and type −

Volcano	Location	Type
Barren Island	Andaman Sea	Stratovolcano
Narcondam Island	Andaman Sea	Stratovolcano
Deccan Traps	Maharashtra	Large Igneous Province
Baratang	Andaman and Nicobar Islands	Mud Volcano
Dhinodhar Hill	Gujarat	Volcanic Plug
Dhosi Hill	Haryana	Volcanic Cone
Tosham Hills	Haryana	Volcanic Cone

Conclusion

India has a wide variety of volcanoes, showing the unique geological history of the nation. These volcanic landforms, which range from the dormant Narcondam Island to the active Barren Island in the Andaman Sea, provide a window into India's past volcanic activity. One of the greatest volcanic episodes in recorded history is attested to by the enormous Deccan Traps in Maharashtra. The volcanic wonders of India are further enhanced by unusual elements like the mud volcanoes in Baratang and the volcanic plugs in Dhinodhar Hill, Dhosi Hill, and Tosham Hills.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any active volcanoes in India?

Yes, Barren Island in the Andaman Sea is the only known active volcano in India.

What are the Deccan Traps?

The Deccan Traps are a vast volcanic plateau in Maharashtra, created by extensive lava flows around 66 million years ago.

Where can I find mud volcanoes in India?

Baratang Island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is known for its mud volcano formations.

What are volcanic plugs?

Volcanic plugs are volcanic features formed when magma hardens within a volcano's vent, creating a solid plug-like structure. Dhinodhar Hill in Gujarat is an example of a volcanic plug.

Are there any extinct volcanoes in India?

Yes, Dhosi Hill in Haryana and Tosham Hills in Haryana are examples of extinct volcanoes.