Last November, Explorer and Storm Chaser George Kourounis did the unthinkable - he willingly entered a fiery pit of burning gas and extreme heat in the name of research. The story goes that Turkmenistan's Darvaza Crater opened up over 40 years ago under a gas drilling rig and was subsequently set on fire by Soviet scientists in an effort to burn off noxious gases.

At 30 metres deep and with a seemingly unending fuel source, this pit is not exactly hospitable territory for humans. Kournousis and his team spent a year and half preparing to plumb its depths and see if any form of life could exist within. This included developing a custom made climbing harness, heat reflective suit, breathing apparatus, even hiring a stunt coordinator to light him on fire in preparation being around flames!

To read more about this incredible feat, view the stunning pictures and find out what lay beneath, click here..