UPSC Prelims 2018 Q85: Geography – Indian Physical Geography
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 and 3
- (c) 3 only
- (d) 1 and 3
Answer: (a) 1 only
Explanation
Barren Island Volcano
| Statement | Claim | Verdict | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barren Island volcano is an active volcano in Indian territory | TRUE | Barren Island is the only confirmed active volcano in South Asia, located in the Andaman Sea (part of India's Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Union Territory). |
| 2 | Barren Island lies about 140 km east of Great Nicobar | FALSE | Barren Island lies about 135 km north-east of Port Blair (capital of Andaman) in the northern Andaman Sea - NOT east of Great Nicobar (which is at the southern end of the archipelago, ~600+ km away). |
| 3 | Last erupted in 1991 and has been inactive since | FALSE | Barren Island volcano has erupted multiple times after 1991 - notable eruptions in 1994-95, 2005, 2015, 2017. It is currently in an active phase, not dormant since 1991. |
Answer: (a) 1 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Only Statement 1 is right - Barren Island is India's only active volcano, in the Andaman Sea.
- (b) Incorrect. Statement 2 misplaces Barren Island - it is near Port Blair, not east of Great Nicobar.
- (c) Incorrect. Statement 3 is wrong - Barren Island has erupted after 1991 multiple times.
- (d) Incorrect. Statement 3 misstates the eruption history.
Key point
Barren Island = India's only active volcano (Andaman Sea, ~135 km NE of Port Blair). Last eruptions: 1991, 1994-95, 2005, 2015, 2017. Uninhabited. Access restricted. Narcondam Island (also Andaman) has a dormant/extinct volcano.
Remember
Barren Island is India's only confirmed active volcano, located in the Andaman Sea about 135 km north-east of Port Blair (not east of Great Nicobar). Contrary to the claim that it has been inactive since 1991, Barren Island has erupted multiple times in subsequent years - 1994-95, 2005, 2015 and 2017.
Common mistakes
- Placing Barren Island near Great Nicobar - it is near Port Blair in northern Andaman Sea.
- Assuming Barren Island has been dormant since 1991 - it has erupted several times, most recently 2017.
- Confusing Barren Island (active) with Narcondam Island (dormant/extinct) - both in Andaman, but only Barren is active.
Exam tip
Indian volcanoes: Barren Island (active, Andaman Sea, near Port Blair). Narcondam Island (dormant/extinct, Andaman). Also the Deccan Traps (extinct, ~66 mya, formed at end of Cretaceous).
Sources
- Geological Survey of India - Barren Island Volcano Monitoring Reports
- NCERT Class 11 Geography - India: Physical Environment