BARREN ISLAND Andaman Islands, Indian Ocean, India 12.29°N, 93.88°E; summit elev. 354 m; All times are local (= UTC + 5 1/2 hours) Reports from 2003: | March | Reports from 2004-2005: | December 2004 - January 2005 | May | Barren Island Eruptive History Information from the SI/USGS Global Volcanism Program -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12-18 March 2003 A team of scientists from India and Italy who visited Barren Island during 3-6 February found fumaroles on parts of the volcano's SW cone that reached temperatures up to 101°C. Neither magma nor gas emissions were observed in any of the various cones. The ground temperature was relatively high (40°C) from the middle to the upper part of the western cone and steaming ground was clearly visible at many sites. Several steam vents were visible within the 1995 lava flows. Blue fumes, which are indicative of the presence of SO2, and the smell of acidic gases were not recorded. Source: Expedition team from the Indian Institute of Technology, University of Urbino, CNR-Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources, and University of Florence -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 29 December 2004- 4 January 2005 Reports of increased volcanic activity at Barren Island and Narcondam volcanoes during the week of 2 January were found to be false. Professor Chandrasekharam from the Indian Institute of Technology reported that as of 4 January no unusual volcanic activity was occurring at these volcanic islands. Newspaper reports of active "mud volcanoes" in the Andaman Islands caused a great deal of concern and confusion. Source: Professor D Chandrasekharam, Indian Institute of Technology -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25-31 May 2005 Professor Chandrasekharam, from the Indian Institute of Technology, reported that Indian Coast Guards noticed an eruption at Barren Island that began on the morning of 28 May. During the flank eruption on the NW side of the volcano's central cone, black lava was emitted that did not reach the sea. According to the Darwin VAAC, there were reports of a plume at a height below 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. drifting N on 29 May at 1330. Source: Professor Chandrasekharam from the Indian Institute of Technology, Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Center