Correct answer: (a) 1 only
Explanation
- A
1 only
(a) 1 only. Barren Island in the Andaman Sea is India’s only confirmed active volcano, so statement 1 is true. It lies east of Middle Andaman / Port Blair, not about 140 km east of Great Nicobar, so statement 2 is false. It has erupted several times after 1991 (including the 2017 episode), so statement 3 is false. Only 1 stands. This option is the official key.
- B
2 and 3
(b) 2 and 3. Both the Nicobar distance and the “inactive since 1991” claim are wrong. This option is not the key.
- C
3 only
(c) 3 only. Post-1991 eruptions disprove inactivity. This option is not the key.
- D
1 and 3
(d) 1 and 3. Statement 1 is true, statement 3 is not. This option is not the key.
Summary. Official key is (a) 1 only. Barren Island is an active volcano in Indian territory in the Andaman arc. It is far from Great Nicobar; the usual locator is ~140 km from Port Blair, not from Great Nicobar. Eruptions continued after 1991. Statements 2 and 3 therefore fail, leaving statement 1 and option (a).
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2017 · Q98 · General Studies · 2 marks
Which of the following is geographically closest to Great Nicobar?