Lava meets snow: Icelandic photographer’s viral video reveals rare phenomenon

Lava flowing over snow (Source: Instagram)

A mesmerizing and rare natural phenomenon captured by Icelandic photographer Jeroen Van Nieuwenhove has taken Instagram by storm, showing lava flowing over snow without the expected clouds of steam. This video, posted as a reel on Nieuwenhove’s Instagram, captures a top-down view of lava crossing a snow-covered landscape during the February eruption at Sundhnúkagígar, Iceland. The clip quickly went viral, drawing in viewers who marveled at the sight and others who questioned its authenticity.

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A post shared by Jeroen Van Nieuwenhove | Photographer in Iceland (@jvn.photo)

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The scene sparked a lively debate in the comments, with many users expressing surprise over the absence of steam, a detail that made some speculate whether the video was real or even AI-generated. Nieuwenhove acknowledged this puzzling element, explaining that he, too, was initially baffled. To clarify, he researched the scientific explanation and found that the unusual effect likely results from the Leidenfrost effect.

According to Nieuwenhove, the extreme heat of the lava creates a thin vapor layer on the surface of the snow, shielding the lower layers from melting instantly. This vapor barrier acts much like the effect seen when water droplets hover on a hot pan, allowing the lava to pass over without melting all the snow underneath. The photographer likened the reaction to a surreal dance between lava and ice, leaving snow trapped beneath the fresh flow of molten rock.

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A post shared by Jeroen Van Nieuwenhove | Photographer in Iceland (@jvn.photo)

Nieuwenhove’s video not only captured a unique moment in nature but also highlighted how our perceptions of natural elements, shaped by Hollywood special effects, can lead us to question real footage. "People are surprised by how lava behaves," he noted, reflecting on how common misconceptions make real-life eruptions seem almost too surreal to be true. “Even in person, it looks as though it doesn’t make any sense at all.”

The post has ignited widespread interest in understanding this natural occurrence, serving as a reminder of nature’s surprising and often unbelievable beauty.