Mount Etna Crater Erupts

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Awe-inspiring time-lapse video shows the moment a rare "dirty thunderstorm" broke out over Mount Etna when Europe's most active volcano erupted at 2:20 a.m. on Thursday.

Lightning struck through the plume of volcanic ash as "Mongibello," as it's nicknamed, spurted into life for the first time in two years, reports the BBC.

The freak weather phenomenon lasted for 50 minutes and was caused by tiny fragments of rock, ash and ice rubbing together to form static electricity, according to Science Alert.

Photographer Marco Restivo, 29, captured the captivating display on the Italian island of Sicily to produce the time-lapse, reports Barcroft.