
You could be forgiven for thinking this series of breathtaking images shot from above depict the simmering landscape of Earth's neighbour, Mars.

But a closer look at the striking images reveals they were taken much closer to home - the Australian outback.

The remarkable series of photos depict barren landscapes moulded in the red centre and a sweltering land where the existence of life appears unimaginable.

One aerial photo among the series shows valleys carved into a fearsome red desert pockmarked with green vegetation.

Another picture shows how water co-exists in the arid environment, carving around sand dunes and creating small islands.

A remarkable series of photos shot from above of the Australian outback resembles the molten lava of a volcano more than the dry sands of the desert

A purple and red haze paint this sweltering landscape where the existence of life appears unimaginable

Upon closer inspection, human life is evident among the images with parallel roads crossing and winding through the landscape

Despite the harsh conditions of Australia's red centre, water co-exists in the arid environment, carving around sand dunes and creating small islands

The land is so hot that several of the aerial pictures resemble the molten lava of a volcano more than the dry sands of the desert.

Small hills appear to splinter through the harsh territory, providing little shade or respite for any life that may exist in the Australian desert.

Upon closer inspection, human life is evident among the images with parallel roads crossing and winding through the landscape.

Remarkably, Australia's tough vegetation can withstand the unforgiving desert, providing a lively green tinge to an otherwise burning surface

Similarities between the Red Planet and Australia's red centre have long been the interest of NASA scientists who have accepted the arid centre of Australia is the most similar place on Earth to Mars.

The lack of vegetation, the colour of the rocks and soil as well as the geology means scientists can study the ground Down Under to learn more about Mars, without ever leaving the planet.

One aerial photo among the series, published by Media Drum World, shows valleys carved into a fearsome red desert pockmarked with green vegetation

Australia's central landscape is believed to have been formed by the Eromanga Sea, an inland sea that existed 100 million years ago across what is now known as Queensland, Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales

Australia's central landscape - spanning an area of one million square kilometres - is believed to have been formed by the Eromanga Sea, an inland sea that existed 100 million years ago across what is now known as Queensland, Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales.

As the climate of the earth began to change the sea began to dry out very quickly.

As it did so the pyrite minerals in the surrounding areas began to release sulfuric acid causing weathering on a massive scale. This acid weathering is only known to have also occurred on the planet Mars, where this sea erosion was experienced on a global scale.

The highest temperature recorded in Australia's centre was in Oodnadatta, South Australia, when the mercury reached 50.7 degrees in 1960.

Similarities between the Red Planet and Australia's red centre have long been the interest of NASA scientists who have accepted the arid centre of Australia is the most similar place on Earth to Mars

Pyrite minerals in the Eromanga basin began to release sulfuric acid causing weathering on a massive scale and creating today's landscape

Small hills appear to splinter through the harsh territory, providing little shade or respite for any life that may exist in the Australian desert