Volcanoes in India List: Active, Dormant, Extinct Volcanoes in India, Types, Location & PYQs

The Volcanoes in India List includes active, dormant, and extinct volcanoes spread across different geological regions of the country. A volcano is an opening in the Earth's crust through which lava, gases, and ash escape to the surface. India has a total of 8 major volcanic sites. 

These include Barren Island, which is the only confirmed active volcano in India, the dormant Narcondam Island, and the ancient Deccan volcanic region. These volcanoes hold great significance for geography, environmental science, and disaster management.

This topic of Volcanoes in India is important from the perspective of the UPSC IAS Examination, falling under General Studies Paper I (Geography), General Studies Paper III (Environment & Disaster Management), and Prelims.

Volcanoes in India List: Complete Overview

The Volcanoes in India List includes volcanic sites from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Gujarat, Haryana, Maharashtra, Central India, and Manipur. These volcanoes are classified on the basis of their activity status. Below is the list of volcanoes in India:

Active Volcanoes in India

The Volcanoes in India List has one confirmed active magmatic volcano and one active mud volcano. These are mainly found in the Andaman and Nicobar region.

1. Barren Island – India's Only Active Volcano

Barren Island is India's only confirmed active volcano. It is located in the Andaman Sea, about 138 km northeast of Port Blair. It is the only active volcano along the volcanic arc stretching from Sumatra to Myanmar.

Eruption History: The first recorded eruption was in 1787. After nearly 150 years of dormancy, the volcano reawakened in 1991. Since then, it has erupted in 1994–95, 2005–07, 2017–19, and again from January 2022 through 2025. Ash plumes have reached up to 3,000 m (10,000 ft) during recent activity.

Why it matters: Barren Island sits on the volcanic arc formed by the subduction of the Indian Plate beneath the Burma Plate. Monitoring this volcano is critical because volcanic eruptions and tsunamis in this region are linked to the same tectonic zone.

2. Baratang Island – India's Mud Volcano

Baratang Island is known for its mud volcanoes. It is part of the Andaman and Nicobar chain of islands.

Note: Mud volcanoes are different from magmatic volcanoes. They do not erupt lava. Instead, pressurised natural gas forces mud and hot water to the surface through cracks in the Earth's crust.

Dormant Volcanoes in India

The Volcanoes in India List also includes Narcondam Island as a dormant volcano. Dormant volcanoes are not currently erupting, but they may show activity again in the future.

Narcondam Island – India's Dormant Volcano

Narcondam is a small, remote volcanic island in the northern Andaman Sea, about 130 km northeast of Port Blair.

Narcondam is home to the endangered Narcondam Hornbill. It is uninhabited by humans. Geologists continue to monitor it because its lava composition suggests a different magmatic system from Barren Island.

Extinct Volcanoes in India

Extinct volcanoes are those that have not erupted for a very long time and are not expected to erupt again. The Volcanoes in India List includes several extinct volcanic formations.

1. Deccan Traps

The Deccan Traps are one of the largest volcanic provinces on Earth. They were formed by massive flood basalt eruptions about 66 million years ago. These eruptions covered roughly half of modern India.

Many scientists believe the Deccan Traps eruptions contributed to the mass extinction that ended the age of dinosaurs. This topic is frequently asked in UPSC examinations.

2. Dhinodhar Hills, Gujarat

Dhinodhar Hills is a volcanic plug located in the Kutch District, Gujarat. It is a solidified remnant of magma that once filled a volcanic vent. Its dark grey basaltic rock stands out from the surrounding sandstone landscape. The last eruption was approximately 500 million years ago.

3. Dhosi Hill, Haryana

Dhosi Hill is an extinct volcano in the Aravalli Range, located in Narnaul, Haryana. It has a distinct crater and visible lava flows on its surface. It is one of the oldest volcanic formations in India, with the last eruption around 750 million years ago.

4. Tosham Hills, Haryana

Tosham Hills are located in the Bhiwani District, Haryana. They are part of the Aravalli Mountain Range and show formations of igneous rocks. The last eruption occurred about 732 million years ago.

5. Loktak Lake Area, Manipur

The Loktak Lake area in Manipur contains evidence of ancient volcanic activity. The lake is also famous as the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India. The surrounding geological formations suggest volcanic origins from India's ancient past.

Types of Volcanoes

Understanding the types of volcanoes is essential for exams. Different volcanic mountains in India and around the world fall into these categories:

How Many Active Volcanoes in India?

There is only 1 confirmed active magmatic volcano in India, Barren Island. Baratang Island is also considered active, but it is a mud volcano, not a magmatic volcano.

Biggest Volcano in India

The biggest volcano in India in terms of active volcanic structure is Barren Island. However, in terms of sheer geological scale, the Deccan Traps represent the largest volcanic feature — an extinct flood basalt province that originally covered approximately 1.5 million km².

Volcanoes in India: Key Facts for Exams

Here is a quick reference for volcanoes in India that are most relevant for competitive exams:

• Barren Island: Only confirmed active volcano; Andaman Sea

• Baratang Island: Only mud volcano in India; Andaman Islands

• Narcondam Island: Dormant stratovolcano; Andaman Sea

• Deccan Traps: Largest extinct volcanic feature; Western and Central India

• Dhosi Hill: Extinct volcano; Aravalli Range, Haryana

• Tosham Hills: Extinct volcanic formation; Haryana

• Dhinodhar Hills: Volcanic plug; Kutch, Gujarat

• Loktak Lake Area: Ancient volcanic formations; Manipur

Why Does India Have Volcanoes Only in the Andaman Islands?

India's mainland is volcanically inactive today. It sits on a stable part of the Indo-Australian Plate. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands lie along the subduction zone where the Indian Plate slides under the Burma Plate. This tectonic setting is the same one that produces volcanoes in Indonesia and Myanmar.

Important Volcano-Related Terms

These terms help students understand volcanic processes in simple language. They are also useful for objective questions and answer writing. 

UPSC Previous Year Questions and Practice Questions

Que. Mention the global Occurrence of volcanic eruptions in 2021 and their impact on the regional environment. [150 Words, 10 Marks] UPSC CSE: 2021

Q. Explore the myriad of intrusive landforms that emerge from volcanic processes. (10 M, 150 Words)