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an image of a volcano spewing lava into the air at night
Hôtel des Ventes de Clermont-Ferrand

3 - GILBERT CHERRORET
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Sale commission
Description
GILBERT CHERRORET ERUPTION OF THE YASUR VOLCANO, TANNA ISLAND, VANUATU Eruption of the Yasur volcano, Tanna Island, Vanuatu (pronounced ‘Yasour’). Vanuatu is a chain of islands situated north-east of Australia (about 2,500 km east of Sydney). This volcano is in a state of almost constant eruption. It ejects incandescent bombs which, as can be seen in the photograph, trace perfect parabolic arcs before falling back into the crater. Their speed as they leave the vent is 200 m/s. The size of the bombs varies from a few centimetres to … 2 metres. However, the bombs are sometimes propelled much further, occasionally several kilometres away, and sometimes at an angle. Furthermore, the time between each ejection can be fairly regular (around 10 minutes) or variable (between 8 and 20 minutes). Before approaching the volcano, it is therefore essential to observe its activity for a long time (sometimes more than an hour) in order to minimise the risks. The photograph was taken around midnight. The shutter was released as soon as the bombs were ejected and stopped as soon as they had fallen back into the crater. The photographer was about 50 metres from the crater. The shot was taken after several attempts, as either the explosion was accompanied by a large release of gas, or the photographer was distracted for a fraction of a second just as the volcanic bombs were launched! Gilbert Cherroret An amateur photographer with a passion for active volcanoes for some twenty years, he travels the world to observe and photograph them. He has written a book entitled ‘Volcans, artistes de la Terre’ (Volcanoes, Artists of the Earth), published by Delachaux & Niestlé. He is the Red Cross representative for the mobile library at Estaing University Hospital FRAMED PHOTOGRAPH: 50 x 70 cm
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About the sale CHARITY SALE: THE ART OF CARING – IN AID OF THE CLERMONT-FERRAND UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
Auction location
Auction time 10/20/2026 at 7:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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