Friend and adventurer Sam Cossman who originally filmed the footage of George took his love for exploring to another level.
These new images show Sam delving deep into one of the most active lava lakes in the world. Standing only 10 metres away from the harrowing 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.
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Former Silicone Valley worker Cossman proudly stands above the caldron of lava in Ambrym, Vanuatu.
The aim of the expedition was to survey a volcanic crater with cutting edge technology, including a drone mounted camera. The footage it captured using photography software was extraordinary.
Sam and his crew were able to create the first virtual environment of a real volcano enabling volcanologists around the world to undertake virtual field research for the very first time, As well as collecting lava samples to understand how life can exist in extreme environments in this world and beyond.
Looking down from 1200 ft, to put that into perspective: that is the same vertical height as the Empire State Building
Sam explains: “Further down you want so badly to take your mask off, but it’s just impossible, you take one breath of that super heated gas and that’s the end.”
Venturing further down only a deadly 30m away from the active volcano Sam had to wear a custom built industrial heat suit built to withstand radiant temperatures of up to 3000 degrees Fahrenheit.
Story continues below pictures....
Inside A Volcano
(01 of19)
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Adventurer Sam Cossman movies towards the huge lava lake wearing a custom built industrial proximity heat suit on December 20, 2014 in Ambrym, Vanuatu.AN INTREPID adventurer stands on the precipice (credit:Sam Cossman / Barcroft Media)
(02 of19)
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Ocean of fire: Adventurer Sam got up close and personal with the volcano's deadly heat on December 20, 2014 in Ambrym, Vanuatu.AN INTREPID adventurer stands on the precipice of the most active lava (credit:Sam Cossman / Barcroft Media)
(03 of19)
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Let me stand next to your fire: The lava lake gurgles with hot lava and toxic fumes on December 20, 2014 in Ambrym, Vanuatu.AN INTREPID adventurer stands on the precipice of the most active lava la (credit:Sam Cossman / Barcroft Media)
(04 of19)
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A 3D interactive model of the Marum Crater which Cossman and his team studied on December 20, 2014 in Ambrym, Vanuatu.AN INTREPID adventurer stands on the precipice of the most active lava lakes i (credit:Sam Cossman / Barcroft Media)
(05 of19)
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Space man: Cossman pictured wearing his industrial heat suit looking like a character from an old science fiction movie on December 11, 2014 in Ambrym, Vanuatu.AN INTREPID adventurer stands on the p (credit:Sam Cossman / Barcroft Media)
(06 of19)
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Cossman lowers himself down towards the lava lake - which is reflected on his glasses on December 20, 2014 in Ambrym, Vanuatu.AN INTREPID adventurer stands on the precipice of the most active lava (credit:Sam Cossman / Barcroft Media)
(07 of19)
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Fire-starter: Former Silicone Valley worker Cossman proudly stands above the caldron of lava on January 13, 2015 in Ambrym, Vanuatu.AN INTREPID adventurer stands on the precipice of the most active l (credit:Sam Cossman / Barcroft Media)
(08 of19)
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The melting pot: Drone footage from inside the volcano on December 20, 2014 in Ambrym, Vanuatu.AN INTREPID adventurer stands on the precipice of the most active lava lakes in the world. This incred (credit:Sam Cossman / Barcroft Media)
(09 of19)
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Hot spot: Aerial drone footage showing the remote lava lake on December 20, 2014 in Ambrym, Vanuatu.AN INTREPID adventurer stands on the precipice of the most active lava lakes in the world. This i (credit:Sam Cossman / Barcroft Media)
(10 of19)
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The heat is on: Drone footage from inside the volcano on December 20, 2014 in Ambrym, Vanuatu.AN INTREPID adventurer stands on the precipice of the most active lava lakes in the world. This incredib (credit:Sam Cossman / Barcroft Media)
(11 of19)
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A bird's eye view of the huge lava lake as Cossman slowly climbs down towards it on December 19, 2014 in Ambrym, Vanuatu.AN INTREPID adventurer stands on the precipice of the most active lava lakes (credit:Sam Cossman / Barcroft Media)
(12 of19)
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Action man: Sam Cossman investigates crater Marum, which is one of only seven lava lakes in the world on December 19, 2014 in Ambrym, Vanuatu.AN INTREPID adventurer stands on the precipice of the mo (credit:Sam Cossman / Barcroft Media)
(13 of19)
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Filmmaker Sam Cossman triumphantly stands above the ferocious lava lake on December 20, 2014 in Ambrym, Vanuatu.AN INTREPID adventurer stands on the precipice of the most active lava lakes in the w (credit:Sam Cossman / Barcroft Media)
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The adventurer checks his equipment during the project which investigated how life could form in other extreme environments on December 18, 2014 in Ambrym, Vanuatu.AN INTREPID adventurer stands on t (credit:Sam Cossman / Barcroft Media)
(15 of19)
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Cossman's custom built heat suit can withstand radiant temperatures of up to 3000 degrees fahrenheit on December 20, 2014 in Ambrym, Vanuatu.AN INTREPID adventurer stands on the precipice of the mo (credit:Sam Cossman / Barcroft Media)
(16 of19)
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Cossman pictured getting his heat suit on which enabled him to withstand up to 3000 degrees Fahrenheit on December 17, 2014 in Ambrym, Vanuatu.AN INTREPID adventurer stands on the precipice of the m (credit:Sam Cossman / Barcroft Media)
(17 of19)
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The drone which helped the team map the lava lake and its surroundings on December 18, 2014 in Ambrym, Vanuatu.AN INTREPID adventurer stands on the precipice of the most active lava lakes in the wor (credit:Sam Cossman / Barcroft Media)
(18 of19)
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Journey to the centre of the Earth: The red hot lava illuminates Cossman's surroundings on December 11, 2014 in Ambrym, Vanuatu.AN INTREPID adventurer stands on the precipice of the most active lava (credit:Sam Cossman / Barcroft Media)
(19 of19)
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Cossman poses for the camera with a group of indigenous residents of Vanuatu on January 3, 2015 in Ambrym, Vanuatu.AN INTREPID adventurer stands on the precipice of the most active lava lakes in the (credit:Sam Cossman / Barcroft Media)
Speaking about his experience Sam said: “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.
“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.
“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.”
The aim of the project was to get a better understanding of how microbial life could exist and colonise in such an extreme environment.
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.
Sam said: “Because it’s the single greatest source of sulphur dioxide on the planet, getting a clear picture with satellite imagery is nearly impossible.
“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 specialised software.
“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.”
Sam 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,
Sam said: “The project represents a quantum leap for education and classrooms of the future.
“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.
“It was a truly awe inspiring experience to witness the Earth’s underlying forces first hand.
“Facing our own mortality is in some way a healthy reminder to appreciate life.”