India’s only ‘mud volcano’ on Baratang Island erupts after 20 years

India’s only mud volcano on Baratang Island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands erupted after 20 years. Earlier, India’s only active volcano on Barren Island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands also witnessed minor volcanic eruptions twice within eight days.

• India’s only mud volcano on Baratang Island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands erupted after 20 years. This mud volcano forms from gases (mainly methane, sometimes carbon dioxide or nitrogen) generated by decaying organic matter inside the earth.
• It pushes mud and gas to the surface, forming bubbles and pits. It is one of the scenic attractions of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• A violent eruption of the mud volcano was reported at Jarwa Creek, Baratang. Such a large eruption was last seen in 2005. After the eruption, a deafening sound was heard.

Location of Baratang Island

• Baratang is located in North and Middle Andaman districts, about 150 km from Port Blair. It is a very popular tourist destination as it houses India’s only mud volcano.
• As a result of the eruption, a mound of earth about 3-4 meters high formed, and mud spread over more than 1,000 square meters. The eruption is still ongoing, with mud and smoke continuously coming out.
• As a safety precaution, tourist access to the mud volcano has been stopped. The Forest Department has closed access routes. The Geological Department has also been informed.
• Police have informed the Fiber Boat Owners Association and local tourist vehicle owners to stop movement towards the mud volcano site.

Barren Island eruption

• Recently, minor volcanic eruptions were also observed on Barren Island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on 13 and 20 September, eight days apart.
• About 140 kilometers from Port Blair by sea, this uninhabited island lies at the confluence of the Indian and Burmese tectonic plates. Barren Island covers a total area of 8.34 square kilometers, and the nearest settlements are Swaraj Island (Havelock Island) and Narcondam Lookout Post (LOP), about 140-150 km away respectively.
• According to records from the Andaman and Nicobar Administration, the first eruption on Barren Island occurred in 1787, followed by minor eruptions in 1991. Eruptions also occurred in 2005, 2017, and the most recent in November 2022.
• The mud volcano on Baratang and the active volcano on Barren Island are located at different places and are not the same. The recent eruptions on Barren Island on 13 and 20 September occurred separately from the mud volcano eruption on Baratang (2 October).
• Mud volcanoes are usually found in areas where natural gas is present. Eruptions occur due to tectonic pressures or accumulation of hydrocarbon gases.