The crater rim
Lava and blasts.
Andrew J Swann — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Marks6651 — CC BY 4.0 · Rolf Cosar — CC BY 2.5 · Romain Pontida — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Phillip Capper from Wellington, New Zealand — CC BY 2.0 · User Bruno.menetrier on fr.wikipedia — Public domain
Mount Yasur is an active volcano on Tanna in southern Vanuatu, 361 m above sea level. It is a bare grey cone of ash with almost no plants, topped by a nearly round crater 400 m across that pours out smoke, and at night it throws red lava into the sky. The volcano has erupted almost continuously for centuries, with blasts several times an hour, yet it can usually be approached safely. Its glow is said to have drawn Captain James Cook to the island in 1774, the first European to arrive. At its foot spreads a wide plain of lava and ash. It is a sacred place for some islanders. In 2022 it was listed among the world's 100 geological heritage sites. You cross the black ash plain by car, then climb on foot to the crater rim, hearing the blasts and watching lava fly up from below. The best visits are at sunset, when the red glows in the dark. At the foot is a Volcano Post mailbox. The volcano is about 19 km from Lenakel on the west of the island and is visited on organised tours that include entry fees. Check the volcanic alert level before you go, follow the guide and do not go nearer the edge than allowed.
Lava and blasts.
Bare black ground.
A mailbox at the foot.
Eastern Tanna, near Sulphur Bay, Vanuatu
Usually yes with a guide; check the alert level.
At sunset to see lava in the dark.