Aim of the project was to get understand how microbial life could exist and colonise the extreme environment


An intrepid adventurer has captured incredible images of some of the world's most active lava lakes using high tech drones and a suit that can withstand temperatures of up to 3,000F heat.

This incredible photos were taken by filmmaker Sam Cossman and his team and shows his harrowing journey into the Marum crater, which is one of only seven lava lakes on the planet, located on the remote island of Ambrym, in the Republic of Vanuatu.

Cossman and his team used high tech drones, virtual reality cameras, and biometric wearable sensors to learn more about the geology of such an extreme environment.

The project was funded by iPhone accessory company, Kenu.com, and had a crew of experts including volcanic explorer Brad Ambrose, award winning videographer Conor Toumarkine, Drone Pilot Simon Jardine and Phd Astrobilogist Dr. Jeff Marlow.

Lowering himself into hell: Adventurer Sam Cossman moves towards the huge lava lake wearing a custom built industrial proximity heat suit

Machine: A small drone which helped the team map the lava lake and its surroundings is seen hovering of the lava lake in Ambrym, Vanuatu

The melting pot: This image is a still from drone footage take inside the volcano as the machine hovered over the lava lake

Excitement: Filmmaker Sam Cossman stands triumphantly above the ferocious lava lake in Ambrym, Vanuatu

Journey to the centre of the Earth: The red hot lava illuminates Cossman's surroundings as he stands close to the fiery lake

In 2014, 33-year-old Cossman left his home in San Francisco to fulfill his dream as a digital storyteller and tech-explorer. The Georgia native wore a custom built industrial heat suit which is built to withstand radiant temperatures of up to 3000 degrees Fahrenheit.

'My first trip to the volcano in September 2014 produced a video which went viral and reignited my passion for filmmaking and adventure...Marum is one of the most extreme and active volcanoes on earth, home to a roiling pit of molten rock that is in a perpetual state of explosion,' he said.

'Its a dangerous place - getting to the bottom requires a 1200 foot vertical descent into the depths of the caldera, an area so immense that it could easily swallow the Empire State Building... Toxic super heated gas, falling boulders, acid rain, and violent expulsion of molten rock are among the many perils of the dangerous journey,' he added.

'Shortly after the expedition, there was a large flank eruption triggered by an earthquake that would have killed anyone even remotely in the area, fortunately they had just recently departed,' Cossman went on.

The aim of the project was to get a better understanding of how microbial life could exist and colonise in such an extreme environment. The team also created the first ever 3D scale model of a volcano and lava lake.

In 2014, 33-year-old Cossman (pictured) left his home in San Francisco to fulfill his dream as a digital storyteller and tech-explorer

This footage from inside the volcano was filmed on a small drone aircraft that was flown down towards the lava lakes

The aim of the project was to get a better understanding of how microbial life could exist and colonise in such an extreme environment

Red hot: The team also created the first ever 3D scale model of a volcano and lava lake

Incredible: Sam Cossman lowers himself down towards the lava lake - which is reflected on his glasses

Team member Dr. Marlow is currently testing samples taken from the crater using NASA's SHERLOC device which will be used in the space agency's next mission to Mars in 2020.

The crew used a drone to map areas of the crater which they were unable to view and measure the size and scale of such a unique environment.

'Because it's the single greatest source of sulphur dioxide on the planet, getting a clear picture with satellite imagery is nearly impossible,' Cossman said.

'The expedition's drone pilot, Simon Jardine, managed to capture aerial images at various moments which allowed the team to stitch the photos together using specialized software,' he added.

'In doing so, they created the first of its kind gas free true-to-scale 3D model of a volcano and lava lake - which enabled us to take precise measurements,' he went on to say.

Space man: Sam Cossman pictured wearing his industrial heat suit looking like a character from an old science fiction movie

Action man: Sam Cossman investigates crater Marum, which is one of only seven lava lakes in the world

Stunning: A small drone captures a bird's eye view of the huge lava lake as Sam Cossman (left) slowly lowers himself down into it

Hot spot: The left picture came from aerial drone footage and shows the remote lava lake from above. Pictured right, adventurer Sam Crossman checks his equipment during the project which investigated how life could form in other extreme environments

Sam Cossman poses for the camera with indigenous residents of Vanuatu - the Pacific island republic where the lava lakes are found

Cossman and the team used the 3D model to enable virtual field research with volcanologists and other scientists from around the world.

Indeed, the adventurer and his crew transformed the otherwise inaccessible environment into a fully immersive virtual environment which can be explored by anyone with a laptop and a wifi connection.

'The project represents a quantum leap for education and classrooms of the future,' Cossman said.

'With the proper expertise, gear, adaptability, and a healthy respect for mother nature, the expedition was a calculated risk, but one that was absolutely worth it,' he added,