Marum Volcano 2014

Spectacular Volcano Exploration - Inside Ambrym Volcano

Marum Lava Lake, Ambrym Island, Vanuatu - Aug. 2014

Extremely dramatic footage of me getting VERY close to the violent lava lake.

Marum crater on Ambrym Island is one of the most extreme places on Earth, and one of only a small handfull of volcanoes that has a boiling lake of lava inside. Getting to it is an extremely difficult task.

At the start of the descent. A panoramic view down into the Marum crater in a rare spot of clear weather. This selfie has gone viral on the internet, some calling it the most extreme selfie ever. Unimaginable power. The lava was boiling so violently. At close range, trying to get some video. This spot was so hot, my camera was literally .melting. Our campsite at night. The glow from the lava, 1200 feet below was surreal. A look at the entire lava lake inside Marum crater. Without my heat resistant proximity suit, I wouldn't have been able to stand there for more than a few seconds. The halfway point. The gas mask was because of all the sulphur diozide gas. Going into the crater is like visiting another planet. I felt like I was on Mars. The view from inside my tent on the summit. Best. Campsite. ever. A dog from one of the local villages decided to stay with us for a while. She helped keep the rats away... Then she trashed the kitchen tent... When it rains at the volcano, extremely strong acid rain is formed, which stings the skin and burns your eyes. It destroys anything metal too... Including my fancy heat-suit. The aftermath of getting close. The lens hood of my videocamera, melted from the intense heat of the lava lake.


At the start of the descent.	A panoramic view down into the Marum crater in a rare spot of clear weather.	This selfie has gone viral on the internet, some calling it the most extreme selfie ever.


Unimaginable power. The lava was boiling so violently.	At close range, trying to get some video. This spot was so hot, my camera was literally .melting.	Our campsite at night. The glow from the lava, 1200 feet below was surreal.


A look at the entire lava lake inside Marum crater.	Without my heat resistant proximity suit, I wouldn't have been able to stand there for more than a few seconds.	The halfway point. The gas mask was because of all the sulphur diozide gas.


Going into the crater is like visiting another planet.	I felt like I was on Mars.	The view from inside my tent on the summit. Best. Campsite. ever.


A dog from one of the local villages decided to stay with us for a while. She helped keep the rats away... Then she trashed the kitchen tent...	When it rains at the volcano, extremely strong acid rain is formed, which stings the skin and burns your eyes. It destroys anything metal too... Including my fancy heat-suit.	The aftermath of getting close. The lens hood of my videocamera, melted from the intense heat of the lava lake.