Amazing images give a rare glimpse inside an emerald ice cave

These stunning photographs give a unique look inside a melting ice cave.

With its dazzling, sea-green ceilings, one could be fooled into thinking the roof is made from a rare emerald rock.

But in actual fact, the striking colours are merely the result of the sun’s rays penetrating the glacial ice.

Sculpted by a hot spring that runs past the Kamchatka volcano in far east Russia, the water has now created a beautiful, translucent tunnel.

As the melting has increased over the years, the layer of ice has dwindled, producing a strange illuminating effect inside the cave.

Photographer, Sergey Krasnoshchekov, 28, waited until the summer before making the expedition but was worried that parts of the one kilometre cavern might collapse.

But curiosity got the better of the Russian photographer, resulting in these extraordinary collection of images.

Sergey said “The caves are difficult to access as you need special off road vehicles to reach the location.

“I spent a couple of days near the caves but not too much time inside as I was afraid the roof might collapse as its so close to an active volcano.

“But it in the end I couldn’t resist the opportunity to go and take some pictures and just went for it.

“The colours inside the cave are truly stunning, it feels as if you are in another world when you step inside.

“There was a stunned silence as we all walked in, the colours are so blue and bold it really takes your breath away.

“The cave looks this way because of the sun rays trying to push through the ice, I have never seen anything like it before.

“It was very cold inside but I was so caught up in the moment that I barely noticed, in the end I didn’t want to leave.”