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Barren Island
As an important part of Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands of India, Barren Island remains a popular name in the group of Andaman Islands. Located at a distance of approximately 135 km northeast of the capital city of Port Blair it is among the oldest islands in this region. As per records it had witnessed first recorded volcano eruption in 1787. Till now ten such volcano eruption cases have already been recorded here. Most recent volcano as recorded was on September 2010 which had continued until January 2011. It remained noticeable for researchers.
Geographically coordinating at 12°16′40″N 93°51′30″E, Barren Island Andaman Islands Group locates at an elevation of 354m or 1,161ft from the sea level. This island remains one of the famous locations in the Andaman Sea as being prominent among the easterly islands of Andaman Islands Groups that is known for only confirmed active volcano in the entire South Asian region. This island has been equally noticed for appealing to large chunk of visitors throughout the year.
According to the historic records, Barren Island had recorded eruptions in 1787, 1789, 1795, 1803–04 and 1852 before the recent one in 2011. Recent volcano marked the arrival of active volcano after a period of approximately one and half centuries during which it had maintained inactivity. Volcanic eruption in the year 1991 had continued for six months and which caused ample damage to this island. The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake was considered one of the reasons for a mild eruption in 2005-07. The eruptions in 1994–95 too remained damaging.
As the location of Barren Island volcanic island locates in the middle of a volcanic belt which is on the Indian and Burmese tectonic plate edge it remains active for volcanic eruptions.
Ferry
Sea planes are available from Port Blair to Barren Island for aerial view of this island. They undertake sorties on demand basis and for that at least seven passengers per sortie are required to travel. As its name suggests, Barren Island isn’t inhabited by humans till date. Some goats, birds, bats including flying foxes and rodent species of rats etc., that can survive harsh conditions are found here. Interestingly the waters surrounding this island remain best suitable for scuba diving with their position of being best globally due to crystal clear visibility.
How to Reach Barren Island
Barren Island by Air: Veer Savarkar International Airport at Port Blair is the nearest airport nearby Barren Island. This airport is well connected to the major Indian cities Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Bhubaneswar et al.
Nearest Airport: Veer Savarkar International Airport, Port Blair
Although a remote location but Barren Island and nearby areas can be reached for the diving purposes. Scuba operators based at Havelock Island have access to it.