‘Fire On Ice’: Italy’s Mount Etna Erupts, Lava Slices Through Snow In Viral Video

Last Updated:January 07, 2026, 18:11 IST

The sight of Mount Etna erupting and hot lava spreading across the snowy terrains of Italy in the winter season made for a unique but stunning contrast.

Mount Etna had a turbulent 2025. (Photo Credit: X)

The recent eruption of Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano, resulted in the most stunning sight that left the online community mesmerised. A video on X unveiled the ongoing eruption of the famous volcano, located in Italy’s Sicily region. The breathtaking visuals include the red-hot lava spreading across the snowy landscape of the region, while a couple of locals are skiing over the pristine slope.

The main attraction was the unforgettable sight of the lava slicing through the icy mountain ranges to create a sublime contrast of nature. The clip posted by ‘Mediavrai’, highlighting the “offering visual phenomenon of coexistence between volcanic activity and winter conditions", felt so ethereal that individuals suspected it was artificial intelligence behind it, not nature painting the landscape with its own brush.

Grok Confirms It Is Real

As an individual tagged ‘Grok’ online, the AI verification tool confirmed it was indeed the sight of Mount Etna’s lava erupting and flowing across the snowy landscape. It is understood that the latest eruption was Mount Etna’s first recorded eruption of the year 2026 after it underwent a hyperactive period.

“It’s not fake. Mount Etna has been erupting since early January 2026, with lava flowing over the snow, as reported by several sources (Fox Weather, MSN)," Grok noted, while issuing a warning for adventure sport enthusiasts. “Skiing there is extremely dangerous: risk of burns, toxic gases, unstable terrain and unpredictable eruptions. Avoid it!"

Mount Etna Eruption 2026

Mount Etna reportedly erupted on the very first day of 2026. When the eruption took place, the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) of Italy noted the melted lava coming out of the evident cracks over the Valle del Bove on Etna’s eastern flank.

Europe’s largest, Mount Etna, is also one of the world’s most active volcanoes. It is two and a half times taller and bigger than Italy’s second biggest volcano, Mount Vesuvius. Etna eventually erupted after a turbulent 2025. The volcano has undergone three distinct eruptions since February last year, with each eruption showing a unique activity and thus raising eyebrows for volcanologists.

One of the eruptions in June 2025 saw plumes reach up to 21,000 feet in the air, causing problems in the region. Authorities continue to insist that the eruption poses no life risk to the locals.

News viral ‘Fire On Ice’: Italy’s Mount Etna Erupts, Lava Slices Through Snow In Viral Video

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