An Icelandic photographer recently captured an extraordinary volcanic event where lava appeared to glide over a snow-covered landscape, leaving viewers awestruck. The mesmerizing footage, shared by Jeroen Van Nieuwenhove on Instagram, quickly went viral, sparking debates about whether the stunning visuals were real or artificially created. However, Nieuwenhove confirmed that this captivating phenomenon was genuine, though rare, and he explained the science behind it.
The video, filmed in Southwest Iceland at Sundhnúkaígars—a series of volcanic craters that have erupted several times since December—depicts lava flowing over snow without any visible steam. This unusual sight puzzled many viewers, with some speculating that it could be an AI-generated effect. The eruption, which took place in February, was so spectacular that it caught the attention of both scientists and nature enthusiasts alike.
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Nieuwenhove, who has been living in Iceland for four years capturing volcanic eruptions, was equally baffled at first. “It left me stunned,” he confessed. After conducting research, he discovered that the unique phenomenon occurs due to a scientific effect known as the Leidenfrost effect.
The lava’s extreme temperature—far hotter than the melting point of snow—causes the snow to melt at the surface, creating a vapor layer. This vapor temporarily shields the lower snow layers from the intense heat of the lava, allowing the molten rock to move across the surface without completely melting the snow immediately. The rapid movement of the lava over the snow prevents it from burning through, which can be observed in a similar way when water droplets skitter across a hot frying pan.
Nieuwenhove noted that such moments of nature defy common expectations. “Many people expect lava to behave in a certain way, often based on special effects from movies,” he explained. His footage challenges these misconceptions by showcasing how lava behaves and interacts with the environment in an unpredictable, stunning manner.
Nieuwenhove’s Instagram reel has since garnered over 100,000 views, with commenters praising the photographer for capturing what many consider a once-in-a-lifetime moment. The visuals of molten lava creeping over snow were described by some viewers as “a chocolate cookie dough being splashed over a layer of fine sugar,” while others dubbed it “a tale of ice and fire.”
Despite some skepticism from viewers questioning the authenticity of the video, many others congratulated Nieuwenhove for capturing such a rare event. “Beautiful and terrifying in one seamless display,” wrote one commenter, while another simply stated, “This is art.”
The photographer’s four-year stay in Iceland has led him to document various volcanic eruptions and natural events, each more surreal than the last. With each eruption, his fascination with Iceland’s volcanic landscapes deepens. His dedication to capturing nature’s raw power has earned him admiration from around the world, especially as he continues to share these breathtaking moments with his followers.
Nieuwenhove’s work not only highlights the captivating beauty of volcanic activity but also challenges our perceptions of nature’s unpredictability and awe-inspiring power.
