Barefoot Volcanologist

Photographer

Elle Leontiev

Category

International Photography - Vanuatu

Company

Submission Group

Professional

Year

2026

Country / Region:

Australia

On the ash plains of Mount Yasur, on the island of Tanna, Vanuatu, Phillip, an internationally recognised, self-taught volcanologist, stands barefoot atop a volcanic rock bomb. Wearing a lava-protection suit gifted to him by some visiting researchers, the volcano smoulders behind him, sending a plume of gas and sulphur into the sky. Phillip grew up beneath the active volcano, and this portrait captures him in his element.