South Asia’s Only Active Volcano Is in India &  It’s Still Erupting

5 June 2025

Credits: Andaman Tourism

Mount Etna is erupting in Italy, and the world is watching. But did you know India is home to South Asia’s only active volcano?

Credits: Roundglass Sustain, Dhritimman Mukherjee

Barren Island, nestled deep in the Andaman Sea, is a volcanic wonder many Indians have never heard of! Located just 135 km from Port Blair, this remote island is wild, raw, and constantly alive.

Credits: Reuters

Rising like a dark sentinel from the ocean, Barren Island is a stark black cone of ash and jagged rock, standing isolated against a vast blue horizon. Smoke coils from its crater, a reminder that the Earth still breathes fire.

Credits: Reuters

This fiery giant first erupted in 1787 and has since awakened over ten times. Its most recent activity in 2022 proved it is very much alive and rumbling.

Credits: Reuters

Despite the harsh volcanic terrain, life here thrives. Sea turtles nest on its shores, bats flutter across the cliffs, and rare seabirds soar above the mineral-rich landscape.

Credits: Adith Swaminathan

Photographers, volcanologists, and adventurers are drawn here! Smoking craters, ash-grey cliffs, and the eerie beauty of a living volcano surrounded by endless sea.

Credits: Paul Johnson

Beneath the surface lies another wonder — the vibrant coral reefs! Snorkelers and scuba divers come from across the world to explore its crystal-clear, untouched waters.

Credits: Roundglass Sustain,Umeed Mistry

Even if you’re not diving, the island is mesmerizing. At night, you can see the lava glowing faintly in the darkness; during the day, it whispers with quiet intensity.

Credits: Getyourguide.com

Planning a visit? You’ll need special permits. Trips are only allowed via authorised boat or seaplane tours from Port Blair, usually between October and March when the weather is ideal.

Credits: Travelira

Barren Island is one of Earth’s rare, raw spectacles! Would you dare to witness this fiery marvel up close?

Credits: Roundglass Sustain, Umeed Mistry