📺 Stream EntrepreneurTV for Free 📺

Repel Into an Active Volcano Via Google Street View Thanks to Google, anyone with a computer can explore the remote country of Vanuatu's jungles, black sand beaches and even peer inside an active volcano.

By Angela Moscaritolo

entrepreneur daily

This story originally appeared on PCMag

via PC Mag

Unless you're a world traveler, there's a good chance you'll never make it to Vanuatu, an archipelago of 80 tiny islands located more than a thousand miles off the coast of Australia. But now, thanks to Google, anyone with a computer can explore the remote country's jungles, black sand beaches and even peer inside an active volcano.

"Starting today in Google Maps, we invite you to join us on a journey to the edge of one of the largest boiling lava lakes in the world on the Vanuatuan island of Ambrym," the web giant wrote in a Wednesday blog post.

To get the incredible images, Google partnered with explorers Geoff Mackley and Chris Horsley, who repelled 400 meters into the Marum crater with a Street View Trekker strapped on their backs that collected 360-degree imagery of "the molten lava lake, which is roughly the size of two football fields," Google said.

In a statement, Mackley said standing at the edge of the volcano, feeling the heat on his skin, was a "phenomenal" experience. "You only realize how insignificant humans are when you're standing next to a giant lake of fiery boiling rock," he said.

Google maps landmarks all over the world -- from the Grand Canyon to Mt. Everest -- but this is the first time the web giant has taken its Street View technology beneath the Earth's surface. The tropical island of Ambrym is home to two active volcanic cones called Benbow and Marum as well as more than 7,000 people who have "learned to live in harmony with this beautiful yet deadly natural phenomena."

Google spoke with a local village leader, Chief Moses, who explained that his people "believe that the volcanoes Marum and Benbow are devils … We believe that Benbo is the husband and Marum is the wife. Sometimes when they don't agree there's an eruption which means the spirit is angry so we sacrifice a pig or fawel to the volcano."

Vanuatu in 2015 was hit by Cyclone Pam and natives have been rebuilding the country's infrastructure ever since. Now, "Chief Moses and his village are ready to welcome travelers back," Google wrote. "He believes making Vanuatu more accessible to the world is a key step in the island's recovery and ability to establish a sustainable economy and preserve its culture."

To explore Vanuatu via Street View, head here.

Angela Moscaritolo has been a PCMag reporter since January 2012. 

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Side Hustle

3 Secrets to Starting a Small Business Side Hustle That Gives Your Day Job a Run for Its Money, According to People Who Did Just That — and Made Millions

Almost anyone can start a side hustle — but only those ready to level up can use it to out-earn their 9-5s.

Business News

Jeff Bezos and Amazon Execs Used An Encrypted Messaging App to Talk About 'Sensitive Business Matters,' FTC Alleges

The FTC's filing claims Bezos and other execs used a disappearing message feature even after Amazon knew it was being investigated.

Business News

'My Mouth Dropped': Woman Goes Viral For Sharing Hilarious Cake Decorating Mishap at Walmart

Peyton Chimack has received over 703,000 views on her TikTok post of her birthday cake.

Business News

Elon Musk Reveals His Tactics for Building Successful Companies, Including Sleeping Under His Desk and 'Working Every Waking Hour'

Musk shared the secrets on a podcast with Nicolai Tangen, CEO of the $1.6 trillion Norges Bank.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Business News

Ring Camera Owners Will Receive $5.6 Million in Payments After FTC-Amazon Settlement. Here's How Many Customers Are Eligible — And How They'll Get the Cash.

The payouts are a result of a June 2023 settlement with Amazon over privacy violation allegations against the camera company.