As Vanuatu’s Mount Yasur volcano erupts, boulders explode like popcorn and the Earth roars. You realise that you are, in fact, nothing but some loose skin and splintery old bone – and this fire-breathing giant can turn you into ash in cartoon-style slo-mo. Actually, maybe that’s a crap way to describe it – I haven’t really tried to before because a trip to Yasur’s rim left me speechless (rare). Luckily, I had my camera handy.

Located on Tanna Island, Yasur can be easily accessed from the capital, Port Vila, via an air taxi followed by a bumpy 4WD drive. When you arrive at the base of the volcano, the local Ni-Vanuatu people perform a blessing ritual before leading you up the volcano. Tip: wear your hiking boots. The steep walk from the car park to the edge of the crater takes only 15 minutes, but as there’s no fence you’ll need something sturdy to stay safe. Here, a selection of pics from my trip: