Unearthing Ancient Secrets: India's Only Active Mud Volcano in Andaman Dates Back Millions of Years

India's enigmatic Andaman and Nicobar Islands, renowned for their pristine beaches and lush forests, harbor a geological wonder that has just revealed an astonishing secret. The Jalpaiguri mud volcano on Baratang Island, long recognized as the nation's only active mud volcano, has now been found to be significantly older than previously imagined, pushing its origins back an incredible 2.3 million years.

This groundbreaking discovery comes courtesy of intensive research by the Geological Survey of India (GSI).

Led by Director M. Raja, a dedicated team embarked on a mission to unravel the true age of this unique natural phenomenon. Through meticulous radiocarbon dating of the mud samples, they conclusively demonstrated that the mud volcano's activity began not 750,000 years ago as earlier thought, but an astounding 2.3 million years in the past.

This revelation effectively quadruples its known geological lifespan, offering profound insights into the region's ancient tectonics and subsurface dynamics.

Unlike conventional volcanoes that erupt molten rock and ash, mud volcanoes are geological formations that expel a mixture of gas, liquid mud, and small rocks.

These fascinating structures are typically associated with subduction zones or hydrocarbon reservoirs where high-pressure fluids and gases force their way to the surface through fissures in the Earth's crust. The Jalpaiguri mud volcano, affectionately known locally as 'Jalpo,' presents a captivating spectacle, with its slow, bubbling emissions creating an ever-changing landscape.

The Andaman archipelago lies at a complex geological junction, part of the active Indo-Myanmar range, where the Indian plate subducts beneath the Burma microplate.

This intense tectonic activity is the driving force behind the formation and continued activity of the Jalpaiguri mud volcano. The analysis of these ancient mud samples provides crucial data for understanding the long-term geological evolution of this volatile boundary, shedding light on ancient seismic events and hydrocarbon migration pathways over millions of years.

While unique in India for its active status, mud volcanoes are found in various parts of the world, including Myanmar, Pakistan, Iran, and Azerbaijan, often indicative of significant geological pressures.

The GSI's research places Jalpaiguri within this global context, allowing for comparative studies that enhance our understanding of these Earth processes. Interestingly, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are also home to several other mud volcanoes, albeit mostly dormant or inactive, such as those found in Diglipur in North Andaman and on Long Island.

This new dating provides a timeline against which the evolution of these other structures can be better understood.

The Jalpaiguri mud volcano has a history of sporadic activity, with major eruptions occurring periodically. One of the most significant recorded events was in 2003, which dramatically altered the local landscape.

Since then, smaller, more frequent emissions have continued, reminding visitors and scientists alike of the Earth's restless nature beneath our feet. This new understanding of its deep antiquity underscores the continuous geological forces at play, making it a living laboratory for Earth scientists.

The findings have been published in reputable scientific journals, further cementing the significance of this Andaman wonder.

As scientists continue to study its ancient muds and observe its ongoing activity, the Jalpaiguri mud volcano remains a vital window into our planet's profound geological past and dynamic present, a truly ancient wonder bubbling with secrets.