List of Active and Dormant Volcanoes in India: A Complete Guide

Volcanoes are Earth’s geological architects that makeup 80 per cent of the planet’s surface. India is known for various things, including its natural beauty, but very few know of its geological marvel — Volcanoes. While India has relatively rare active volcanoes, it holds immense geological significance. It hosts one active volcano — Barren Island — and has many dormant and extinct volcanoes.

Learning about volcanoes in the best schools in Whitefield can help us understand India’s geological wonders, why volcanoes are good for mankind and what are the potential risks.

In this blog, you will learn about the list of active and dormant volcanoes in India, safety precautions and more.

What is a Volcano?

A volcano is a geological formation that allows magma (molten rock), gases and ash to escape from beneath the Earth’s crust.

How are volcanoes formed? Well, the Earth’s tectonic plates sometimes move around and when they bump into each other, they cause cracks in the Earth’s crust. 

The Earth has an inside layer known as the Mantle; sometimes the hot, molten rock from the mantle called the magma pushes its way up through the cracks in the Earth’s crust. When this magma comes out of the Earth’s crust, it forms a volcano.

When a volcano discharges repeatedly, it grows taller, forming a familiar cone-shaped mountain.

What are the Different Types of Volcanoes?

Shield Volcano

• Large volcanoes with gentle slopes
• Built from low-viscosity basaltic lava that can travel long distances.
• Eruptions are usually non-explosive

Stratovolcanoes

• Steep-sided, cone-shaped volcanoes built from alternating layers of lava and ash.
• Can produce explosive eruptions due to the high viscosity of their magma.

Cinder Cone Volcanoes

• Steep conical hills formed from small fragments of lava.
• Eruptions are usually explosive but don’t last long.

Lava Domes

• Formed by slow-moving lava that piles up near the volcanic vent.
• The highly viscous lava leads to the dome-like structure.

Learning about volcanoes at the top international schools in Bangalore provides various practical benefits and insights into our planet’s history, environment and future. Now that you are aware of the different types of volcanoes, here’s a list of volcanoes in India.

Active Volcanoes in India

Barren Island

Located at a distance of 138 kilometers, this active volcano from Port Blair in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, first outbroke in the year 1787 and has been spewing out smoke and heat waves more than 10 times, and last erupted in the year 2020. It is said that during the day ash clouds were observed, but as soon as the sun goes down, the red lava is seen spewing down the slopes of this volcano.

Baratang Island

Baratang Island is situated in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and it is known for its lush greenery, mangrove forests and limestone caves. The island is also known for its mud volcanoes. It is considered an active volcano, even though there are no recent records of eruptions. The last eruption was recorded in the year 2005. The island attracts many tourists with its natural beauty and geological uniqueness.

Dormant Volcanoes in India

Narcondam Island

Narcondam Island is located in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and is known for its small dormant volcano in India in the northern Andaman Sea. This volcano is recorded to have spewed smoke and formed some mud up until 2005. It last erupted in the year 1681.

Extinct Volcanoes in India

Deccan Plateau

The Deccan Plateau is located in Central India and last erupted approximately around 25 million years ago, leaving behind a unique geological heritage. It is a flat region that stretches between the Western and Eastern Ghats mountain ranges. It stands as India’s ancient volcanic past contributing to its unique landscape.

Dhinodhar Hills

Dinodhar Hills are located in Gujarat, India, and the hills are formed due to volcanic activity. They have been stable and are not expected to erupt again. Dhinodhar hills are known for their exquisite geological features.

Dhosi Hills

Located in Haryana, India, Dhosi Hills exhibits features that are the definition of a volcano with a distinct cater and lava still lying on it. This is an extinct volcano with the last eruption about 750 million years ago.

Tosham Hills

Tosham Hills is a part of the Aravalli Mountain range in Haryana, India, with formations of rocks. Just like Dhosi Hills, Tosham Hills formed around 750 million years ago due to volcanic activity.

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Geological Significance and Educational Value

Scientific Importance: Scientists are able to study the tectonic plate movements and seismic activity. Active volcanoes also help scientists study the evolution of the Earth’s crust and its geological features over a period of time. Potential risks also can be predicted by studying active volcanoes. Not to mention, this helps is disaster management and can provide early-warning signs of natural disasters such as earthquake.

Fertile Soil: Volcanic ash usually contains minerals that are beneficial for plants, which makes the surrounding areas perfect for agriculture.

Climate Research: Active Volcanoes are said to be natural laboratories for geologists and environmental scientists, as volcanoes influence local and global climates through gas emissions and ash clouds.

Volcanoes and Environmental Impact

1. Repeated volcanic eruptions can lead to new land formations such as mountains and islands.
2. Volcanic lakes formed in craters can support unique ecosystems, providing habitats to numerous species.
3. It can cause major destruction through lava flows and ash falls, causing harm to lives and infrastructure.
4. Eruptions can affect the climate due to the release of large quantities of ash and gases into the atmosphere.

Safety and Precautions

The best schools in Whitefield will show you how active volcanoes have positive and negative impacts on the planet. Hence, as much as they add to the natural beauty of Mother Earth, it is equally dangerous. Taking precautious measures, and ensuring safety at all times is necessary. Here are a few things to keep in mind when near a volcanic region.

• Whether you are living or visiting a volcanic region you should have a well-defined evacuation plan and keep a check of the safe routes.
• It is advisable to stay indoors with doors and windows closed, reducing the chances of inhaling the gases and ashes. In the event of an eruption, it is best to wear masks at all times.
• Being aware of warning signs and knowing how to respond in situations will help minimise the risks.
• Keep an emergency kit with essentials like food, clothing, water and first aid on you at all times.
• Always follow official guidelines and avoid restricted areas at all costs.
• Keep checking local updates for signs or warnings of increased volcanic activity.

Active or dormant volcanoes in India play an important role in shaping Earth’s geological processes and have positive and negative impacts on the environment. Understanding India’s active, dormant and extinct volcanoes gives you a peak into its diverse geological wonders. Studying India’s volcanoes deepens your appreciation for the natural processes of shaping the environment. India’s volcanoes remind you of the power of nature, developing immense respect for it.

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