A volcano is a break in the earth's crust that allows gases, molten rock components (lava), ash, steam, and other substances to escape. They are life-threatening and hazardous. The majority of volcanic eruptions are more intense than natural nuclear explosions. Volcanoes come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and their unique characteristics characterize them. Andaman and Nicobar Island in India boasts the world's only active volcano, which has been dormant for almost 150 years. Different terrain shapes, such as a plateau or a mountain, might be generated depending on the explosive nature of the volcano. This article will explain to you the Vulcanicity in India which will be helpful in Geography preparation for the UPSC Civil service exam.

Volcanos in India

• A volcano is a fissure or vent in the Earth's crust that erupts lava, ash, rocks, and gases.
• A volcano that has recently erupted is known as an active volcano.
• The asthenosphere is a weaker zone inside the mantle.
• The substance found in the asthenosphere is referred to as magma.
• Lava flows, volcanic bombs, pyroclastic debris, dust, ash, and gases are examples of material that flows to or reaches the ground.
• Sulfur compounds, nitrogen compounds, and tiny quantities of argon, hydrogen, and chlorine are all possible gases.
• According to specialists at the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) in Goa, India's sole active volcano on Andaman & Nicobar Island has been spewing ash since 1991 after being inactive for almost 150 years.
• According to the information currently available, the volcanic danger in India is assessed as low.
• This signifies that the chosen place is fewer than 50 kilometers from a volcano that has had a potentially devastating eruption in the past, but it was over 10,000 years ago.
• Future harmful eruptions, on the other hand, cannot be ruled out.

Barren Island

• Barren Island is an island in the Andaman Sea that is dominated by Barren Volcano, South Asia's only confirmed active volcano and the only active volcano in a series of volcanoes stretching from Sumatra to Myanmar.
• The volcano's first known eruption occurred in 1787. The volcano has erupted several times since then.
• The following is a chronology of recent volcanic eruptions on Barren Island: 1787: The first known eruption
• More eruptions were documented in 1789, 1795, 1803, and 1852.
• 1991: After roughly 150 years of inactivity, the volcano erupted. It lasted around 6 months and did a lot of harm, especially to the island's biodiversity.
• In 1995, an eruption was reported.
• 2004-05: An eruption was detected and connected to an earthquake in the Indian Ocean in 2004.
• In the year 2017, a volcano was discovered. According to an Indian Space Research Organisation investigation (ISRO), they were a continuation of the 2005 eruption.
• 2018: Volcanic eruptions on a barren island have been connected to earthquakes in Sulawesi, Indonesia, on September 28.

Narcondam

• In the Andaman Sea, Narcondam is a tiny volcanic island.
• The island's highest point, at 710 meters above sea level, is made of andesite. It's part of the Andaman Islands, whose main body is about 124 kilometers (77 miles) to the west.
• Narcondam's name might be derived from the Tamil term naraka-kundam, which means "hell's pit."
• The volcano on Narcondam Island has been inactive for millennia, with no evidence of it ever erupting.

Deccan trap

• The Deccan Traps are a vast igneous province in west-central India's Deccan Plateau that is one of the world's biggest volcanic landforms.
• Since 1785–1795, geologists have referred to such rock structures as "traps."
• It is derived from the Scandinavian term "trappa," which means "steps," and relates to the region's step-like slopes.
• It's commonly referred to as regur dirt or black soil. They are sticky when wet due to the high amount of clay component and hence difficult to plough.
• They grow in semi-arid environments in basalt-covered places.
• The Deccan trap is lava terrain, with little humus in the soil and a black appearance due to the presence of titanium salt. They have a lot of lime in them.
• The soil, especially in the lowlands and river valleys where it is deep and clayey, is moisture retentive and exceedingly productive.

Baratang

• The Andaman Islands' Baratang Island is one of them.
• It is part of the Indian union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands' North and Middle Andaman administrative district.
• Baratang Island is also known as Ranchiwalas Island.
• The only known mud volcanoes in India are found near Baratang. These mud volcanoes have erupted infrequently in the past, with recent eruptions in 2005 thought to be linked to the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake.

Dhinodhar Hills

• Dhinodhar Hills is located near Nani Aral hamlet in the Nakhatrana Taluka of Gujarat's Kutch District.
• The Dhinodhar Hills in Kutch is one of India's most well-known hiking destinations.
• Dhinodhar Hill is a volcanic plug rising above the local sandstone, composed of relatively fresh, very fine-grained, black to dark grey, largely aphyric (without phenocrysts), and aphanitic rock.
• It rises to an elevation of 386 meters and features several near-vertical, dike-like tabular intrusions with well-developed columnar jointing, and a roughly circular ring breached to the east, Dhinodhar is really the eroded remnants of a subvolcanic incursion that erupted during the Deccan Traps.

Dhosi Hills

• Dhosi Hill is an extinct volcano that stands alone in the Aravali mountain range's northwestern corner, with a height ranging from 345 to 470 meters above the surrounding plain.
• It is part of the Aravalli Mountain Range, which is made up of rocks from the Precambrian Malani igneous suite. Dhosi Hill is located on the Haryana-Rajasthan state line.
• There have been no volcanic eruptions on Dhosi Hill in the previous two million years.
• On one side of the slope, though, lava in a hardened state may still be observed.

Tosham Hills

• The Tosham hills, which are located in Haryana's Alwar area and have an average height of 207 meters, are found on the northwest spur of the Alwar region.
• With an average elevation of 207 meters, Tosham Hill Volcano is an extinct volcano. Igneous rocks make up the rock formation, which is part of the Aravalli Mountain Range.
• The rocks found in and around Tosham Hills originate from the Precambrian Malani igneous suite and are part of the subsurface north-western spur of the Alwar group of the Delhi supergroup of the Aravalli Mountain Range.
• The major Tusham hill is the range's second-biggest hill. Small hilltop lakes, paleo eroded stone glacier rivers and water waterfalls, and ancient rock inscriptions and rock art may all be found here.
• It is one of Haryana's most important biodiversity hotspots.

Conclusion

Volcanoes are natural phenomena that can inflict significant harm if they erupt near people who live in the area. Barren islands are remote from human settlements, but they have the potential to interrupt flight routes in the region. Volcanoes, earthquakes, and other natural disasters are unavoidable, but early warning and planning can mitigate the risks.

FAQs

Question: What is vulcanicity, and where can it be found in India?

Question: What is Barren Island, and why is it significant?

Question: What is the Deccan Trap?

Question: What are mud volcanoes, and where can they be found in India?

Question: What are the Dhinodhar and Tosham hills, and what is their significance?

MCQs

1. Where is the only active volcano in India located?

A) Deccan Plateau

B) Andaman Islands

C) Maharashtra

D) Kutch District

2. What geological feature is found in the Deccan Plateau region of India?

A) Mud volcanoes

B) Lava flows from volcanic eruptions

C) Active volcanic eruptions

D) Volcanic ash deposits

3. Which of the following is an extinct volcano in India?

A) Barren Island

B) Narcondam

C) Dhinodhar Hills

D) Baratang

4. Which island in India is known for mud volcanoes?

A) Dhinodhar

B) Baratang

C) Tosham

D) Barren Island

5. What is the main feature of the Deccan Traps?

A) Active volcanoes

B) Lava plateaus formed by volcanic activity

C) Mud volcanoes

D) Rifting zones

GS Mains Questions and Model Answer

Q1: Discuss the significance of the Deccan Trap in shaping the geography of India.

Answer: The Deccan Trap, a vast volcanic plateau, significantly influences the geography of western India. Formed by ancient lava flows, it covers parts of Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh. Its fertile black soils are ideal for agriculture, particularly cotton cultivation. The plateau has unique landforms such as basalt columns and flat terrains, and its volcanic rocks shape river systems like the Godavari and Krishna. These geographic features play a critical role in agriculture, hydrology, and the overall landscape of the region.

Q2: Evaluate the impact of volcanic activity on the environment of India, focusing on Barren Island and the Deccan Traps.

Answer: Barren Island, India’s only active volcano, influences marine and terrestrial ecosystems through its intermittent eruptions, while the Deccan Traps, formed by ancient volcanic flows, impact agriculture and biodiversity. The Deccan Traps contribute fertile soils and host unique flora and fauna, while Barren Island’s eruptions affect the immediate environment. Both regions demonstrate the dual role of volcanic activity in creating rich ecosystems and presenting environmental challenges, such as ash deposits and soil erosion.

Q3: Analyze the role of volcanic eruptions in the formation of landforms and their effect on human settlements in India.

Answer: Volcanic eruptions have shaped India’s geography by forming landforms like the Deccan Plateau and islands like Barren Island. The Deccan Traps provide fertile soil for agriculture, supporting human settlements. However, active volcanoes like Barren Island remain uninhabited due to their volatile nature. While past volcanic activity has enriched the land and contributed to its habitability, active eruptions pose challenges for human habitation and require constant monitoring.

Previous Year Questions on  Vulcanicity in India

1. UPSC CSE 2021

Question: Discuss the formation of volcanic landforms in India and the impact of volcanic activity on the environment.

Answer: This question explores volcanic landforms like the Deccan Traps and Barren Island, focusing on their formation and their environmental effects, including fertile soils and ecosystem changes.

2. UPSC CSE 2020

Question: Explain the significance of the Deccan Traps in the geographical landscape of India.

Answer: This question requires discussing the Deccan Traps’ role in shaping India’s geography, including their fertile soils, basaltic landforms, and impact on agriculture and river systems.