WATCH: Rare footage of sub-Antarctic volcano captured by scientists

Scientists aboard a research vessel were fortunate enough to capture video of a volcano erupting on an island north of Antarctica on Saturday.

The volcano, called Big Ben, is on the Australian-held Heard Island, about 1,900 km from Davis Station, Antarctica.

The video was shot by scientists onboard the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Marine National Facility research vessel Investigator, and released on Monday.

Big Ben has erupted at least three times since 2000. However, due to its remote location, it’s rare for scientists to witness its eruption.

“To see lava emanating from Mawson Peak and flowing down the flank of Big Ben over a glacier has been incredible,” said Jodi Fox, a geoscientist aboard the vessel.

Though one might not think of volcanoes when it comes to the Antarctic region, there are more than 20 on Antarctica alone. Eruptions of Big Ben date back to 1881.

–with files from The Associated Press

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