Mount Yasur, Tanna Island, Vanuatu

Mount Yasur is one of the world’s most active and approachable volcanoes, located on Tanna Island in the South Pacific nation of Vanuatu. Rising from the island’s southeastern coast, this conical stratovolcano towers above ash plains and tropical jungle. Its crater is known for near-constant activity — with glowing lava, rumbling explosions, and thick smoke often visible from miles away. For artists, Yasur offers a rare opportunity to capture the raw forces of nature up close. From stark ash textures and jagged profiles to dramatic light at twilight and vibrant bursts of molten orange, the volcano provides contrast and motion. These images invite exploration of heat, power, and atmosphere — perfect for painting tension, geology, and elemental landscape.