Updated 25 October 2026. Facts on this page come from minecraft.wiki, minecraft.net and the live Artemis PvP server; sources are listed at the bottom.
Magma Blocks in Minecraft: Damage and Bubble Columns
A magma block is a glowing Nether block that hurts anything standing on it, about 1 damage per half second, unless you sneak or wear Frost Walker. Underwater it makes a bubble column that pulls things down. Craft one from 4 magma cream, or mine it with a pickaxe in the Nether or at the bottom of Overworld oceans and caves.
How much damage do magma blocks do?
Standing on one deals fire damage, which in practice works out to 1 health every half second, even underwater. Sneaking, Frost Walker boots and fire immunity prevent it; it never sets you on fire or burns items. Mob farms use it to kill mobs slowly; see mob farms. Damage basics: fire and lava.
How do magma bubble columns work?
Water source blocks above a magma block become a downward bubble column that drags players, mobs, items and boats to the bottom. Soul sand does the opposite and pushes up. Both are used for water elevators; see water elevators. Standing in either kind refills your air.
Where are magma blocks found?
- In the Nether between Y=27 and Y=36 on Java (Y=23 to 36 on Bedrock), in basalt deltas, bastions and ruined portals; see the Nether.
- At the bottom of underwater aquifers and ocean floors in the Overworld.
- In ocean ruins and the eruption room of trial chambers.
- Mine with any pickaxe; by hand it drops nothing.
Does it give light?
Only light level 3, too dim to stop mobs spawning, and it does not melt snow or ice. It smokes in the rain. Brighter blocks: light sources. On Bedrock, spiders cannot climb walls of magma blocks.
Frequently asked questions
How do you walk on magma blocks safely?
Sneak, or wear Frost Walker boots.
Sources
Every fact on this page was checked against these pages; the wording is ours.