Foto: Eruption of the Yasur Volcano (bron: -)

Vanuatu - Mount Yasur is an active volcano on Tanna, Vanuatu, with a height of 361 meters above sea level. The volcano lies near the coast by Sulphur Bay, southeast of the taller Mount Tukosmera. The volcano is a largely barren cone with an almost circular crater 400 meters in diameter. It is a stratovolcano, caused by the eastward-moving Indo-Australian Plate and the westward-moving Pacific Plate. The volcano has been erupting almost continuously for over 800 years. It is usually safe to approach. Its eruptions, often several times per hour, are classified as Strombolian or Vulcanian. Today, the mountain is a sacred site for the John Frum Cargo Cult. Cult members worship John Frum, a deified messenger who predicted bringing prosperity to the island via American troops. They believe he lived on Mount Yasur with his followers. The village of Sulphur Bay, the center of the movement, considers the volcano part of their territory. Due to the volcano’s importance to Tanna’s tourism, the local government has established guidelines for safe visits. When concentrations are too high, access is prohibited. Only at level 1 is the crater accessible.

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