Filming the Namal Tribe in Vanuatu

By Hayden Turner (September 2010)

It's not something that you often hear in conversation at your local pub: what it's like to stand on the edge of an active volcano.

As the sun is setting behind Mt Yasur on Vanuatu's Tanna Island, I am about to find out first hand. Mt Yasur is getting ready for her nightly show - spewing molten lava hundreds of meters into the sky for a handful of passsionate 'crazies'...

Long before you reach Mount Yasur, you hear the unmistakable sound of this ancient Vanuatu volcano booming out across the landscape. But it is only when you reach the crater's edge that you fully appreciate this awesome, natural wonder.

I am accompanied by six of the tribesman whom I have been working with over the past week. They brought me here "to gain spiritual and physical strength" for the week ahead.

Some of the tribesmen themselves have only been here once before; for others it's their first time. As we reach the top I can feel fear and apprehension. Lengai, a lean 'hunting machine' of a man pulls back. He's clearly afraid... yet fascinated. Gaining courage and strength through his brothers who are standing with me on the crater's edge, he comes closer.

This is one of the world's most accessible active volcanoes and deep underneath it the earth's crust is cracking open like an enormous egg. Then... an almighty explosion comes from within the volcano! Thundering booms of molten lava shoot up from deep within the crater and spew forth liquid fire and clouds of volcanic ash. It propels hundreds of meters into the sky and chunks the size of bowling balls come flying our way as we look on in awe.

The ash and dust following the eruption take us by surprise. We have to move back, holding our breath, protecting ourselves from the acrid fumes. But a minute later we return to the crater edge for another display of Mother Nature at her finest!

I have never felt the power of nature like I'm doing tonight. It's good to be alive!!