In a recently released series of images, deep diver and National Geographic underwater photographer Laurent Ballesta completed the deepest dives ever under Antarctic ice to photograph the animals that live there. The deepest of the dives reached 230-feet, where the colors, numbers and types of creatures was the highest. At temperatures below 29 degrees fahrenheit, and dives lasting up to five-hours, it took Ballesta a full seven-months for his nerves to recover from the trauma.

This is what Ballesta had to say about the expedition: “The waters under Antarctic ice are like Mount Everest: magical, but so hostile that you have to be sure of your desire before you go.”

Read the full article and see all the images here.