Watch the astounding moment Italy's Mount Etna spews molten lava while gigantic plumes of black ash consume the Italian holiday hotspot.
The shocking footage shows jets of lava shooting into the sky while a Sicilian skier glides down a nearby slope, seemingly unaware of the eruption.
Massive clouds of ash can be seen billowing into the sky and across the European landscape after the peak entered a new eruptive phase on Boxing Day.
Italy’s Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV) confirmed the volcanic activity, noting that lava was launched more than 1000ft into the sky.
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The institute added rock fragments were thrown as far as "several kilometres above the summit of Etna".
Officials issued a yellow alert for the region with many worried about the impact on nearby airports.
The explosive activity were first recorded on December 26, causing scientists to signal a red Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation (VONA).
Located on the eastern coast of Sicily between Catania and Messina, Europe's largest, and most active, volcano towers over the European scenery, and became a Unesco World Heritage Site back in 2013.
Mammoth plumes eveloped the scenic landscape
|REUTERS
Geological experts constantly monitor the eruption-prone peak due to its high level of activity.
Some delays to flights have been reported but there has not been any mass disruption as of yet.
Despite the alert, flights have operated as usual at Catania Fontanarossa Airport, officials said.
No further disruption was expected unless ashfall increased.
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Blackened ash darkened the Italian landscape
|REUTERS
The yellow alert demands heightened monitoring and information sharing. Airports in the surrounding area remain open as experts continue to keep an eye on the mountain.
The massive clouds of blackened ash have partly landed on a Sicilian ski resort on the volcano's side, Piano Provenzana.
The INGV said the lava is continuing to pour after they recorded "strong explosions" from the volcano, travelling around two kilometres east.
Smaller eruptions were noted on Boxing Day, followed by "several hours of calm".
However, a day later, the volcano began to erupt once again.
But the Sicilians are seemingly acquainted with such events, with the last major eruption only taking place in June earlier this year.
The mountain's surroundings were subject to the same lava and ash production, stirring up travel chaos for locals and tourists alike.
However, the volcano remains active with notable episodes occurring multiple times a year.
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