In this amazing set of images, the experts are dwarfed by towering rock formations rarely ever seen.

The amazing caves are in Obir Tropfsteinh in Eastern Austria.

Explorations into the cavernous caves hundreds of feet beneath the surface have begun in a bid to uncover information that may help solve issues surrounding climate change.

The scientists are also painstakingly mapping the movement of water through billions of years of rocks in the Alps of Austria.

They use a fluorescent dye which can be traced through the underground reservoirs to the source.

British photographer Robbie Shone plunged hundreds of feet into the ground to accompany the scientists as they navigated the maze of giant crystals and rock formations.

Robbie, 32, from Manchester, said: 'Caves are difficult, unforgiving and arduous environment. The cave is black with no light so you have to mind where you step.'

Despite the dangers, Robbie crawled through cracks int he caves to capture the stunning images.

He added: 'People are amazed at the pictures because the majority can never imagine themselves going down into a cave themselves and are gobsmacked when they see what lies beneath their feet.

'Caves are very rarely seen in this way as the cave explorer only uses a small head torch to illuminate the way ahead, not the big flash lights we use to make the pictures.'