Skip to main content

A GoPro gave its life so you could watch this way-too-close volcano footage

Volcanic eruptions surely are one of the most fascinating natural phenomena. Considering that they can destroy entire cities and even affect the climate on a global scale, they’re also one of the most frightening natural phenomena. Getting close-up with an active volcano, then, requires a fair amount of daringness.

The good thing is, volcanic eruptions can be predicted to a degree, and if you’re visiting a volcano whose activity is well-known, you can prepare accordingly and minimize the risk. Still, you shouldn’t get too close to that sputtering lava, because its heat is so intense that it can be felt even from a great distance. Eric Cheng, Director of Aerial Imaging at DJI (you know, the guys who make the Phantom copters) learned about a volcano’s destructive nature the hard way.

Recommended Videos

Actually, it wasn’t so much Eric who got to feel the heat of the Bárðarbunga volcano in Iceland, but rather the GoPro Hero3+ action cam that he attached to one of the DJI copters he used to film the Holuhraun lava field which is part of Bárðarbunga’s fissure system. During the filming process, he recalls, the video feed suddenly turned black, and when he recalled the drone copter he noticed that the entire front of the GoPro camera had been melted by the heat of the eruptions.

Luckily, it was only the camera itself that was damaged, not the MicroSD card inside it, and Eric was able to salvage the footage that the GoPro had recorded until the moment that the intense heat of the volcano fried its systems. The results is an epic video of volcanic eruptions that wouldn’t have been possible without modern technology such as aerial drones and actions cams.

If you’d like to take a peek behind how the video was made, and hear the story of the melted GoPro from Eric’s perspective, there’s also a behind-the-scenes video that you can watch below. Apparently, the world needs a volcano-proof action cam, and quite possibly also a volcano-proof drone copter. DJI and GoPro, are you listening?

Felix Esser
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Felix is a freelance tech journalist with a strong focus on photography. Based out of central Germany, he contributes to…
The 15 best GoPro accessories in 2024
best GoPro accessories

If you own a GoPro, you are probably already obsessed with capturing thrilling action shots. But what if we told you there were a few different ways you could make those action shots even better? There are a wide variety of GoPro accessories out there that will let you create even more exciting content on your next adventure. If you don't already own a GoPro, check out some of the best GoPro deals happening right now. Then add some of the below accessories to your cart as well to heighten your GoPro experience.

FitStill Waterproof Case

Read more
GoPro HERO12 bundle gets a $50 discount
GoPro HERO12 offers waterproof use.

Best Buy has the best GoPro deal with $50 off the . The price has dropped from $450 to $400 for a limited time. We haven’t seen this price since December holiday sales when we featured the best GoPro deals. Even better? You get a free item with your purchase. The free Shutterfly 8x8 Photo Book is available without charge to enhance your GoPro experience.

Why you should buy the GoPro HERO12
This all-in-one bundle features everything you need to get started with your GoPro HERO12. It comes with its own 50-in-1 Action Camera Accessory Kit that includes extras like a suction cup, floating handle grip, wrist strap, and bicycle handlebar. Also included is one of the best micro SD cards, the Extreme Pro 64GB microSDXC Card, for expanded storage.

Read more
GoPro unveils its latest action camera, the Hero 12 Black
GoPro's Hero 12 Black action camera.

GoPro: Introducing HERO12 Black | Everything You Need to Know

GoPro is back with the latest iteration of its popular action camera. The new GoPro Hero 12 Black is the kind of solid piece of kit we’ve come to expect from a company that’s been in the game for years. That’s actually created a bit of a problem for GoPro, with many customers happy to hang onto their current model rather than upgrade. So it'll be hoping the latest version will be attractive enough to prompt a wave of purchases among current owners, while at the same time attracting a bunch of first-time buyers, too.

Read more