The only confirmed active volcano in India, Barren Island is one of the easternmost islands among the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Although eruptions as early as 8060±100 BCE have been confirmed by tephrochronological studies, its first recorded eruption was in May 12, 1787 and the cinder cone volcano has erupted 12 times since then. The most recent eruption lasting from September 17, 2009 to the first week of January 2010.
The most recent activity in the volcano was from 13th to 19th February 2013 in which ash plumes from Barren Island were launched up to an altitude of 6.1 km (20,000 ft) and drifted 220 km south west.
The island, as its name suggests is uninhabited by humans but it has a considerable population of goats, rodents, bats, birds and reptiles. No one is allowed to go to the island except for geologists, coast guard and naval officials. Nevertheless it is a tourist attraction but only to be experienced at the sea and from a distance.
