Question 17 from UPSC CSE 2018 - Geography

Question

Consider the following statements:
1. The Barren Island volcano is an active volcano located in the Indian territory.
2. Barren Island lies about 140 km east of Great Nicobar.
3. The last time the Barren Island volcano erupted was in 1991 and it has remained inactive since then.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. 1 only

Strategy: The strategy involves evaluating each statement based on specific recall:

*   **Statement 1**: Focus on the 'active volcano' keyword. Barren Island is India's only active volcano, making this statement correct.
*   **Statement 2**: Requires geographic recall. Barren Island is near Port Blair, not Great Nicobar, rendering this statement incorrect.
*   **Statement 3**: Demands precise event recall. Eruptions occurred after 1991, contradicting the claim and making this statement incorrect.

Therefore, only Statement 1 is deemed correct.

Key Info: Barren Island, located in the Andaman Sea, is part of India's Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It is renowned for hosting the only confirmed active volcano in the Indian subcontinent. The island is situated approximately 140 km northeast of Port Blair (South Andaman), lying significantly north of Great Nicobar, which forms the southernmost tip of the archipelago.

The Barren Island volcano reawakened in 1991 after about 150 years of dormancy. It has since exhibited intermittent eruptions, including in 1995, 2005, and as recently as 2017 and beyond, characterized by lava flows and ash emissions. The island remains largely uninhabited due to its harsh conditions and persistent volcanic activity.

While the Andaman & Nicobar archipelago contains numerous volcanic and sedimentary islands, Barren Island is distinctive due to its ongoing volcanic activity. In contrast, Great Nicobar is the largest island in its group, possessing different ecological and geological features, and notably lacks any volcanic activity.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: 2 and 3

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: 3 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: 1 and 3