Vanuatu
Mount Yasur
Welcome to Vanuatu! Mount Yasur is one of the most active volcanoes on Earth — and one of the easiest to visit, letting people watch its fiery bursts up close.
Why is it famous?
It has been erupting almost constantly since at least 1774, when explorer Captain Cook first spotted its glow.
Visitors can walk right up to the rim and watch small explosions of glowing rock and ash happen every few minutes.
How did it form?
Mount Yasur is a stratovolcano, built up over time from many layers of hardened lava and ash.
It sits on Tanna Island, part of Vanuatu's chain of volcanic islands formed where two of Earth's plates meet.
Amazing facts
Its crater is about 400 meters (1,300 feet) wide.
At night, glowing orange lava can be seen lighting up the smoke above the crater.
Quick facts
- Its crater is about 400 meters (1,300 feet) wide.
- At night, glowing orange lava can be seen lighting up the smoke above the crater.
- It's considered one of the most accessible active volcanoes anywhere in the world.
- The volcano stands 361 meters (1,184 feet) tall.