The eruption of Mount Etna, the most active volcano on the European tectonic plate, located on the southern part of the Italian island of Sicily, has intensified in recent hours. A plume of ash has forced some flights bound for Catania to land instead at Palermo International Airport, as operators adjust routes to ensure safety for passengers and crews.
The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) continues to monitor the eruption closely, reporting fluctuations over the past days. According to the latest update, there is a gradual increase in strombolian activity from the Voragine crater, which has grown to become Etna’s highest summit after the recent eruptions.
The eruptive cloud formed in recent hours has produced ash emissions that spread toward the south, the INGV notes in its latest bulletin issued at 1:45 local time (23:45 GMT). The ongoing activity has drawn attention from scientists who track tremor signals and infrasonic waves, which help indicate magma movement beneath the volcano.
The measured volcanic tremor, rising steadily since yesterday afternoon, has reached its highest level so far. The source of the tremor is located to the east of the Voragine crater, at an altitude of roughly 2,800 meters above sea level. This information reflects the shifting dynamics of the eruption as magma continues to interact with surface conduits.
The INGV emphasizes that infrasonic activity remains elevated and that the tremor sources are concentrated within the Voragine crater. With lava material accumulating from the latest eruptions, the eastern rim of Voragine has climbed to about 3,369 meters in height, underscoring the crater’s growth as the summit of Etna.
Data provided by the institute show that Voragine, which had been quiet for the last three years with its last ash emission recorded in April 2021, has overtaken the Southeast crater, now measuring 3,247 meters in height. This shift marks a notable change in the volcano’s topography as the Voragine crater becomes the dominant vent in the Etna system.
Despite the ash plume, Catania Airport—nearest to the volcano and previously forced to partial closure—remains operational. The color-coded alert level, which had been red last night, was downgraded to orange in recent hours. Several flights scheduled for the Catania aerodrome were redirected to Palermo, as reported by local media, reflecting cautious but ongoing aviation operations in the region.
A short distance away, the Etna area remains dynamic and closely watched. The red alert, reduced to orange, signals ongoing risk while allowing some normal flight activities to resume under enhanced safety procedures and monitoring. Aviation authorities and meteorological services continue to guide flights during this phase of activity, balancing safety with the need to maintain essential air connections for the island and its communities.
Very near Etna, Stromboli, another active volcano, has shown activity in recent days. This smaller island in the Tyrrhenian Sea has residents accustomed to volcanic explosions, though authorities urge vigilance. People living nearby have learned to react quickly when explosions occur, and authorities maintain continuous surveillance to issue timely warnings if conditions change.