Daily News Analysis

Baratang Island

stylish_lining

India's only mud volcano, located on Baratang Island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, has erupted once again, drawing attention both for its unique geological phenomenon and its significance as a tourist destination.

About Baratang Island

  • Location: Baratang Island is situated in the North and Middle Andaman district, approximately 150 km from Port Blair. It’s part of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, known for their rich biodiversity and unique ecosystems.

  • Mud Volcano: The island is home to India’s only mud volcano, which makes it a popular tourist spot. This natural wonder has intrigued visitors due to its rare geological formations.

  • Jarawa Tribe: Baratang Island is also inhabited by the Jarawa tribe, one of the indigenous tribes of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, known for their distinct cultural heritage and close connection with the environment.

What is a Mud Volcano?

Mud volcanoes are geological formations created when mud, water, and gases (mainly methane, and sometimes carbon dioxide or nitrogen) are forced to the surface from underground chambers. Unlike traditional volcanoes, mud volcanoes do not erupt lava but instead release mud slurries that can form cone-like structures.

Characteristics of Mud Volcanoes:

  • Formation: Mud volcanoes are formed through tectonic activity, where pressure builds up and causes mud, water, and gas to be expelled through the earth’s crust.

  • Size: These volcanoes can vary in size, ranging from 1 to 2 meters to 700 meters in height, and can span from 1 to 10 kilometers in width.

  • Global Presence: Mud volcanoes exist not only on land but also beneath the sea, where they can form underwater banks and islands that alter coastal topography.

Mud Volcanoes Around the World

While rare in the Indian subcontinent, mud volcanoes are found in various parts of the world:

  • Azerbaijan: Home to some of the largest mud volcanoes in the world.

  • Italy: Features mud volcanoes, notably in the Campi Flegrei region near Naples.

  • USA: In California, mud volcanoes are present in places like Mono Lake.

Conclusion

The mud volcano on Baratang Island continues to be a fascinating natural wonder that attracts both scientific study and tourism. As India’s only active mud volcano, it offers unique insights into the processes of the Earth’s surface and adds to the biodiversity and ecological uniqueness of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

 

Mughal Miniature Painting

A Mughal miniature painting titled “A Family of Cheetahs in a Rocky Landscape”, attributed to the celebrated Mughal painter Basawan (c. 1575–80), has set a new world record at Ch
Share It

Formation Day

On 1st November, eight Indian states—Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu—along with five Union Territories—Andaman an
Share It

Turtle (Kachhua) Wildlife Sanctuary

The Turtle Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as the Kachhua Sanctuary, is located in the Varanasi district of Uttar Pradesh. It is recognised as India’s first freshwater turtle wildlife sanctua
Share It

US Resumes Nuclear Weapon Testing

The President of the United States has ordered the resumption of nuclear weapon testing after a gap of 33 years, the last test being in 1992. This decision marks a significant shift in global nucl
Share It

Sal Tree

Scientists from the Environment Department of Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) in Shimla have recently revealed that the Sal tree (Shorea robusta) is the most effective natural air purifier for c
Share It

Introduction of AI and Computational Thinking (CT) in School Education

The Ministry of Education plans to introduce Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Computational Thinking (CT) from Class 3 onwards in the 2026–27 academic year. This initiative is part of the Na
Share It

India’s Textile Industry

Introduction The Government of India is preparing a comprehensive cost roadmap for the textile sector to bring domestic production costs in line with global standards. This initiative comes at
Share It

International Snow Leopard Day

International Snow Leopard Day is observed every year on 23rd October to raise awareness about snow leopard conservation and the challenges faced by this vulnerable species. Origin Internati
Share It

African Penguin

Appearance The African Penguin has a distinctive black stripe across its chest along with a unique pattern of black spots, which differ among individuals. It also possesses pink glands above it
Share It

Model Youth Gram Sabha (MYGS) Initiative

The Centre launched the first phase of the Model Youth Gram Sabha (MYGS), a pioneering initiative that seeks to introduce the concept of Gram Sabhas into school classrooms across India. Inspired b
Share It

Newsletter Subscription


ACQ IAS
ACQ IAS