[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-shWVW1UBc]

Watch as hot lava sprays past this quadcopter as it navigates past giant clouds of sulfur billowing upwards towards its spot in the sky.

Yasur volcano, on the south Pacific island of Tanna, is one of the more active and easily accessible, making it a tourist destination for those curious about extreme nature. But no sane traveler would put themselves in the position that quadcopter pilot Shaun O’Callaghan positioned his DJI Phantom to capture these incredible exploding shots of Yasur.

His video is one of the best examples of how quadcopters and drones are being used to put imaging tools and sensors into positions that ground vehicles or manned aircraft can’t reach due to safety or size restrictions. From guarding rhinos in Africa to capturing just-overhead footage of surfers navigating challenging waves, we’re seeing more and more new uses for the aerial platforms, and imagine more footage

(h/t Brian Lam/Eric Cheng/Gizmodo)