An Italian volcano is behaving very strangely

Holy smoke.

Mesmerising vortex rings have been ‘erupting’ from Sicily’s Mount Etna in a rare and stunning spectacle – but an expert is urging caution to those visiting the famous volcano.

The strange sight has led locals to nickname Mount Etna, one of the most active volcanoes in the world, as the ‘Lady of the Rings’.

Although often known as ‘smoke rings’, the white, almost perfect circles drifting up from the volcano’s craters are actually condensed water vapour – like clouds.

Australian National University volcanologist Ana Casas Ramos explained the phenomenon.

‘It is condensed water vapour,’ she said, speaking to ABC News.

‘On its own it is colourless, but once it reaches the condensation level then it becomes whitish – and that’s what we are seeing. 

‘The reason why you have this water vapour coming up and condensing so quickly and then forming these rings is because of the temperature difference. 

‘The water vapour is coming out very hot and then once it reaches shallow levels, like atmospheric levels, it then encounters cold air and that’s when you get this condensation.’

There have been no reports of disturbances around the volcano, with a major eruption deemed unlikely because the volcano is constantly degassing, reducing pressure build-up.

‘If it does culminate in an eruption, let’s say in the coming months or weeks, it’ll be just a couple of puffs, a bit of ash, maybe a bit of magma but nothing violent,’ said Dr Ramos.

However, she still urged anyone planning a visit to see the rings to be cautious.

‘It’s such an unusual shape and it tells you that the volcano is doing something very distinctive,” said Dr Ramos. 

‘Yes, it’s beautiful, but it’s telling me that something is changing and in that sense it would be very smart to have caution.’