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.

 

India-Qatar

The India-Qatar Joint Commission on Economic and Commercial Cooperation (JCEC) meeting marked a significant step in strengthening bilateral ties between India and Qatar, focusing on boosting trade
Share It

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

India and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) recently celebrated 80 years of partnership on World Food Day 2025. About the FAO The Food and Agriculture Organi
Share It

First Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A

India's Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A is set to join the fleet of the Indian Air Force (IAF), marking a significant milestone in India's indigenous fighter jet program. Developed
Share It

India–Singapore Relations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently hosted Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in New Delhi, signaling a continued strengthening of bilateral ties between the two nations. The discussions c
Share It

India’s External Debt 2025

India’s external debt has risen to USD 747.2 billion by the end of June 2025, marking a 1.5% increase from the previous quarter, according to the latest data from the Reserve Bank of India (
Share It

Forest Rights Act, 2006 (FRA)

The Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, officially known as the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, was enacted with the aim of recognizing and ve
Share It

Euthanasia

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill passed by the UK’s House of Commons in June 2025, which allows passive euthanasia, has once again brought the global debate on the right to die w
Share It

Public Trust Doctrine

The Public Trust Doctrine has recently been reaffirmed by the Supreme Court of India, which expanded its scope to include man-made or artificial waterbodies that serve ecological or environmental
Share It

Chikungunya

Recent News: The New York State Department of Health has confirmed the first locally acquired case of chikungunya in the United States in over six years. What is Chikungunya? Chikungunya
Share It

Global Burden of Disease Estimates on Cancer

The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) estimates, as reported by The Lancet, provide critical insights into the rising cancer burden, particularly in India, contrasting with the global trend of declin
Share It

Newsletter Subscription


ACQ IAS
ACQ IAS