Magme Medal

Volcanoes In India ( Active, Dormant & Extinct)

India is not traditionally known for its volcanic activity, but it does have several volcanoes spread across its regions. These volcanoes are classified as active, dormant, and extinct based on their current state of activity. Understanding the volcanic regions of India is essential for competitive exams such as UPSC, State PSCs, SSC, and Geography sections in various exams.

Classification of Volcanoes
  1. Active Volcanoes: These volcanoes have erupted recently or are expected to erupt in the near future.
  2. Dormant Volcanoes: These volcanoes have not erupted in a long time but have the potential to erupt again.
  3. Extinct Volcanoes: These volcanoes have not erupted for a very long time and are not expected to erupt again.
Active Volcanoes in India

India has a few active volcanoes, primarily located in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Northeast India. These volcanoes are associated with tectonic activity, where the Earth’s crust is moving.

1. Barren Island Volcano (Andaman & Nicobar Islands)
  • Location: Barren Island, Andaman Sea, approximately 135 km from Port Blair.
  • Type: Stratovolcano (cone-shaped volcano formed from layers of lava and ash).
  • Status: Active.
  • Last Eruption: Frequent eruptions have been recorded since 1991, with the most recent eruption in 2017.
  • Notable Facts:
    • The Barren Island volcano is India’s only active volcano.
    • It is located in a remote area and has been monitored by geological surveys.
2. Narcondam Volcano (Andaman & Nicobar Islands)
  • Location: Narcondam Island, approximately 130 km northeast of Port Blair.
  • Type: Stratovolcano.
  • Status: Dormant/Active.
  • Last Eruption: No historical eruptions, but geological evidence suggests potential for future eruptions.
  • Notable Facts:
    • Narcondam Island is uninhabited, and the volcano is located in a remote region.
Dormant Volcanoes in India

Dormant volcanoes are those that have not erupted for a long time but could potentially erupt in the future under certain conditions.

1. Mount Pavagadh (Gujarat)
  • Location: Pavagadh Hill, near Vadodara, Gujarat.
  • Type: Shield Volcano.
  • Status: Dormant.
  • Last Eruption: Over a million years ago.
  • Notable Facts:
    • Mount Pavagadh is part of the Pavagadh Hill Range and is not considered a major volcanic threat.
    • The hill is known for its religious and archaeological significance, including the famous Kalika Mata Temple.
2. Mount Deoban (Uttarakhand)
  • Location: Deoban, Uttarakhand.
  • Type: Shield Volcano.
  • Status: Dormant.
  • Last Eruption: There is no recorded eruption, but volcanic activity might have occurred in ancient geological history.
  • Notable Facts:
    • This area is not as active as the volcanic regions of the Andaman Islands but is considered dormant.
Extinct Volcanoes in India

Extinct volcanoes are those that have not erupted in thousands or millions of years and are not likely to erupt again.

1. Gulf of Khambhat Volcanoes (Gujarat)
  • Location: Gulf of Khambhat, Gujarat, on the west coast of India.
  • Type: Ancient volcanoes.
  • Status: Extinct.
  • Last Eruption: Extinct for several million years.
  • Notable Facts:
    • The Gulf of Khambhat region has remnants of ancient volcanic activity, but no active volcanic eruptions have been recorded in historical times.
2. Kalsubai Volcano (Maharashtra)
  • Location: Kalsubai Peak, Western Ghats, Maharashtra.
  • Type: Shield Volcano.
  • Status: Extinct.
  • Last Eruption: No historical eruptions.
  • Notable Facts:
    • Kalsubai is the highest peak in Maharashtra and is now a popular trekking destination.
    • It was once part of a volcanic range in the Western Ghats that has been extinct for millions of years.
3. Rajmahal Hills (Jharkhand/Bihar)
  • Location: Rajmahal Hills, near the border of Jharkhand and Bihar.
  • Type: Lava Plateau.
  • Status: Extinct.
  • Last Eruption: Over 100 million years ago.
  • Notable Facts:
    • The Rajmahal Hills are remnants of ancient volcanic activity.
    • The area is now known for its distinctive landforms, such as deep valleys, ravines, and plateaus.

Important Volcano-Related Terms for Competitive Exams

  • Lava: Molten rock that erupts from a volcano.
  • Magma: Molten rock beneath the Earth’s surface before it erupts as lava.
  • Crater: A large depression at the summit of a volcano, formed after an eruption.
  • Caldera: A larger depression formed when a volcano collapses after an eruption.
  • Volcanic Islands: Islands that form due to volcanic activity, such as the Andaman Islands.
  • Pyroclastic Flow: A fast-moving current of hot gas and volcanic matter that flows down the sides of a volcano.
Volcanic Activity in India
  • Tectonic Setting: India’s volcanic activity is primarily due to the Indian Plate interacting with other tectonic plates, especially in the Andaman Sea region. This region experiences significant subduction, where the oceanic plate is forced beneath the continental plate, triggering volcanic eruptions.
  • Volcanic Hotspots: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a significant hotspot for volcanic activity, with Barren Island being India’s only active volcano.
  • Historical Volcanic Activity: The volcanic regions in Western Ghats and Gulf of Khambhat were once active but are now extinct.
Conclusion

Understanding the distribution and classification of volcanoes in India is important for Geography sections in competitive exams. The key volcanoes in India include Barren Island (active), Narcondam (dormant), and several extinct volcanic features in the Western Ghats, Gulf of Khambhat, and Rajmahal Hills. Focus on:

  • The location and status (active, dormant, or extinct) of volcanoes.
  • Geological history and the impact of volcanic regions on India’s landscape.
  • Key terms and concepts related to volcanic activity.

This knowledge will help you tackle questions related to volcanic activity, tectonic plates, and geological features in competitive exams.