The Fiery Wonders of India: Active and Potential Volcanoes Unveiled
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India has varied terrain marked by mountain ranges, glaciers, rivers and canyons that have been formed by the volcanoes that erupted over millions of years ago. The nation has many extinct and dormant volcanoes and we have two live volcanoes that can erupt at any moment to change the topography further. So, what are volcanoes besides a vast chasm in a tall mountain that spouts fiery lava?
volcanoes in India - 2025
What is a volcano?
When the earth's tectonic plates are disturbed, they crack the earth's crust and the heat trapped underneath causes the rocks to melt and create magma. When the pressure of the magma builds, it escapes through the cracks and shoots up to the surface. Lava is the liquid magma which spurts onto the surface and flows down the vent. The whole process of the disturbance which causes magma from the earth's crust as lava on the earth's surface is called a volcano.
Lava is composed of rocks, ash and various gases. Volcanoes can be found in many places in the world, some are even underwater.
Different Types of Volcanoes
Stratovolcano
Stratovolcanoes, also known as composite volcanoes, are characterized by their steep-sided cones built up by alternating layers of lava flows, volcanic ash, cinders, and volcanic rocks.
Shield Volcano
Shield volcanoes have gentle, broad slopes resembling a warrior's shield. They are primarily built up by the fluid basaltic lava flows with low viscosity that can travel long distances from the vent.
Cinder Cone Volcano
Cinder cone volcanoes are the simplest type of volcanic cone. They are built from the accumulation of tephra (fragments of volcanic rock and ash) ejected from a single vent.
Lava Domes
Lava domes, also known as volcanic domes or volcanic mounds, are formed by the slow extrusion of highly viscous lava from a volcanic vent.
The remnants of millions of years old volcanoes
The Raneh waterfall in Madhya Pradesh flows down the igneous rock canyons caused by volcanic eruptions that occurred several million years ago. The entire canyon is made from dolomite and granite which contribute to the beautiful tapestry of colours and are mined for several purposes. Raneh is an example of an extinct volcano, which is a volcano that hasn’t erupted in human history. Mostly, these volcanoes are unlikely to erupt again, but it isn’t unheard of for an extinct volcano to re-erupt.
Other extinct volcanoes in India are -
- Dhinodhar, Gujarat
- Loktak Lake, Manipur
- Deccan Plateau, Karnataka
- Dhosi Hills and Tosham Hills, Haryana
How many volcanoes are there in india
India has a total of eight volcanoes, with only one Barren Island currently active. The rest are dormant, including several mud volcanoes. The most recent eruption among these volcanoes occurred in 2017. Barren Island, which is the sole active volcano in the region stretching from Sumatra to Myanmar, is located in the Andaman Sea. This volcanic island is a popular tourist destination, known for its Barren Volcano
The dormant volcanoes of India
Dormant volcanoes have mostly not erupted for around 10,000 years and may erupt at any time.
In India, the noted dormant volcano is Narcondam Island in Andaman and Nicobar Islands which last erupted in 1680. It is a small volcano located in the Northern Andaman Sea and is recorded to have spewed smoke and formed some mud in 2005.
List of active volcanoes in India - 2025
As of 2024, India has two active volcanoes - the Barren Island and the Baratang Island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Barren Island is located in the Andaman Sea and is considered the only active volcano in India currently. It is at a distance of 138 kilometres from Port Blair and its first eruption was in 1787. Since then, it has spewed smoke and heat waves more than 10 times until 2021. The ash clouds and red lava pouring down the slope of the Barren Island volcano mountain can be witnessed after sunset.
Baratang Island is the only example of a mud volcano in India. It is driven by hot water and natural gas instead of molten rock like regular volcanoes. These mud volcanoes erupt periodically with the last eruptions occurring in 2005. This landform is associated with a petroleum deposit and unlike other mud volcanoes, it is not in a large barren field, but has many trees around it.
The Geological Survey of India monitors the activities of the volcanoes and conducts research to identify hazards and potentials of the volcanic deposits. Volcanoes have the potential to produce fertile soil and active volcanoes can be harnessed to produce geothermal energy. Many metals such as gold, copper, lead and zinc are associated with magma.
List of Volcanoes in India
| Name | Elevation (meters) | Elevation (feet) | Coordinates | Location | Last Eruption | Type | State |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barren Island | 354 | 1161 | 12.278°N 93.858°E | Andaman Islands | Active since 2021 | Stratovolcano, Active | |
| Narcondam | 710 | 2329 | 13.43°N 94.28°E | Andaman Islands | 1681 | Stratovolcano, Dormant | |
| Deccan Plateau | 1500 | 4920 | 18.51°N 73.43°E | Central India | 25 Mya (Million years ago) | Caldera | |
| Baratang Island | 532 | 1745 | 12.07°N 92.47°E | Andaman Islands | Active since 2003 | Mud volcanoes, Active | |
| Dhinodhar Hills | 386 | 1266.4 | 23.45°N 69.34°E | Gujarat | 500 Mya (Million years ago) | Extinct | |
| Dhosi Hill | 740 | 2427 | 28.06°N 76.03°E | Haryana | 750 Mya (Million years ago) | Extinct | |
| Tosham Hills | 207 | 679 | 28.88°N 75.92°E | Haryana | 732 Mya (Million years ago) | Extinct | |
| Loktak Lake | 768 | 2519.04 | 24.45°N 93.47°E | Manipur | 100 Mya (Million years ago) | Supervolcanic caldera, status unknown |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A volcano is formed when the Earth's tectonic plates shift, creating cracks in the Earth's crust. Heat beneath the surface melts rocks into magma, which rises under pressure and erupts as lava, ash, and volcanic gases.
Volcanoes are primarily classified into two main types: stratovolcanoes and shield volcanoes. Other commonly recognised types include cinder cone volcanoes and lava domes.
Stratovolcanoes, also known as composite volcanoes, have steep slopes formed by highly viscous magma. They are built from alternating layers of lava flows, volcanic ash, cinders, and volcanic bombs.
Shield volcanoes are formed by low-viscosity basaltic lava that spreads over large areas, creating broad, gently sloping mountains.
Cinder cone volcanoes are the simplest type of volcano, formed by fragments of solidified lava ejected from a single vent. They typically have steep sides and a bowl-shaped crater.
Lava domes are formed when highly viscous lava accumulates around a volcanic vent instead of flowing away. They often develop inside or on the flanks of stratovolcanoes.
An extinct volcano has not erupted in recorded history and is considered unlikely to erupt again. Examples in India include Dhinodhar Hills (Gujarat), Dhosi Hills (Haryana), Raneh (Madhya Pradesh), and volcanic formations near Loktak Lake (Manipur).
A dormant volcano has not erupted for thousands of years but still has the potential to erupt in the future. Narcondam Volcano in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is India's best-known dormant volcano.
Barren Island is the only confirmed active volcano in India. Baratang Island is known for its active mud volcanoes, which are driven by natural gas and hot water rather than molten rock.
Baratang Island is famous for its mud volcanoes, which erupt mud, hot water, and natural gases instead of molten lava. These eruptions are caused by underground gas pressure.
Volcanoes help scientists understand Earth's interior and tectonic processes. They also contribute to fertile soils, geothermal energy, and the formation of valuable mineral deposits such as gold, copper, lead, and zinc.
The Raneh Falls canyon in Madhya Pradesh was formed through ancient volcanic activity. Other notable volcanic features in India include:
List of Volcanoes in India
- Barren Island (Andaman Islands)
- Baratang Island (Andaman Islands)
- Narcondam Volcano (Andaman Islands)
- Dhosi Hill (Haryana)
- Tosham Hill (Haryana)
- Loktak volcanic formations (Manipur)
- Dhinodhar Hills (Gujarat)
Active Volcano in India
- Barren Island
Dormant Volcano in India
- Narcondam Volcano
The largest and only active volcanic island in India is Barren Island, located in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal.
Some notable volcanic locations in India include:
- Barren Island
- Narcondam Volcano
- Baratang Mud Volcano
- Dhosi Hill
- Tosham Hill
- Dhinodhar Hills
- Volcanic formations near Loktak Lake
Note: The number and classification of volcanoes in India vary depending on geological criteria.
Mauna Loa in Hawaii, USA, is the world's largest volcano by volume and area. It covers approximately 5,271 square kilometres (2,035 square miles).
No. Tiruvannamalai is not a volcano. It is an ancient hill of geological significance and is not classified as either an active or extinct volcano.
India does not officially recognise a single 'dead' volcano. However, extinct volcanic formations include Dhinodhar Hills, Dhosi Hills, and Tosham Hills.
No. Kerala does not have any active, dormant, or extinct volcanoes.
The four main types of volcanoes are:
- Shield Volcanoes
- Stratovolcanoes (Composite Volcanoes)
- Cinder Cone Volcanoes
- Lava Domes
Indonesia has the highest number of active volcanoes in the world, with more than 130 active volcanoes due to its location along the Pacific Ring of Fire.
No active volcanoes exist in Tamil Nadu. Some ancient geological formations, such as parts of the Nilgiri region, have volcanic origins.
Ojos del Salado, located on the border of Chile and Argentina, is the world's tallest volcano, standing approximately 6,893 metres (22,615 feet) above sea level.
Lava typically ranges from 700°C to 1,200°C (1,300°F to 2,200°F), depending on its chemical composition and type.
Some of the world's most famous volcanoes include Mauna Loa and Kīlauea in Hawaii because of their size, frequent eruptions, and scientific importance.
Barren Island, located in the Andaman Sea, is India's only active volcano. It has experienced multiple eruptions in recent decades.
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