Morphometric Analysis of Barren Volcanic Base and Associated Tectonic Elements in the Andaman Fore-Arc Sub-Basin

Although many studies have been undertaken on the Barren Island, the undersea configuration of the Barren Island Volcano (BIV) and associated morphotectonic elements, the modification imparted on them by the recent flows and the morphology of these flows are still poorly known. The present study identified thick lava flows along the western and southwestern slopes of Barren Island, extending up to the base of the Invisible Bank. The feeding locales for these thick flows are numerous parasitic cones picked up in the 3D grid model generated by the multibeam echo sounder. Morphology of the Barren volcanic base is largely modified by recent eruptions as they not only reduced the steepness of the Barren Volcano along the western slope, but also extended the base of the Barren Volcano to the base of the Invisible Bank. Furthermore, the present study also brought out other morphotectonic elements surrounding the BIV, viz. Alcock seamount towards the southeast, Invisible Bank flanked by west Andaman Fault in the west and a newly identified submarine volcanic mount as part of the Andaman Volcanic Arc towards the south.