This is the dramatic moment a tornado tore through a volcano park in Inner Mongolia.

Footage shows the powerful vortex swirling from the ground up into the sky near the Wulanhada Volcano Geopark in Ulanqab.

The massive funnel cloud, rapidly rotating as it moved across the landscape, swept through structures and knocked down power poles on August 4.

The weather phenomenon reportedly caused damage to ground-level power supply facilities and nearby temporary buildings.

An onlooker said: 'The tornado lasted about 20 minutes and was strong enough to uproot utility poles.'

Local government officials confirmed that no casualties were reported from the disaster.

Tornadoes form when warm, moist air meets cool, dry air during severe storms, creating a spinning funnel that becomes a tornado once it touches the ground.

Often associated with violent storms like supercells, tornadoes can cause extensive damage along with heavy rain, strong winds, thunder, and lightning.