The Hottest Place on Earth

Five expert adventurers are sent in to the hottest place on Earth, thevolcanic Danakil region of Africa, where temperatures can reach 60C.Yet somehow the legendary warrior tribe, the Afar, live here; relyingon their camels and goats for survival.

Kate Humble investigates how tough life is for an Afar woman; Steve Leonard wants to learn about the relationship between the Afar and their animals, and to help with animal medicine where he can; Dr Mukul Agarwal looks at the health issues faced in this most hostile of environments; earth scientist Dougal Jerram looks at the extraordinary volcanic activity of the region and the part it plays in the bigger geological picture of the Rift Valley; and biologist Richard Wiese searches for extreme life forms in the boiling soil of a massive volcanic fissure.

Valerie Browning, an Australian nurse who appears in the program, is supported by the Australian overseas relief and development agency AngliCORD. For more information about the charity visit anglicord.org.au